CMAT responds to ‘awful’ abuse following Radio 1 Big Weekend performance

Irish singer-songwriter CMAT recently shared her feelings of “deep sadness” following body-shaming abuse she faced after her performance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival. The artist expressed her frustrations at the hurtful online comments targeting her weight, emphasizing that her appearance is not a deliberate choice but simply a result of having a body.

This is not the first time CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has had to address fat-shaming incidents. In 2024, she revealed that the BBC had disabled comments on a video of her previous Big Weekend performance in Luton due to similar abusive remarks.

Taking the stage before headliner Olivia Dean at this year’s festival in Sunderland, CMAT recounted her experiences with body-shaming in a candid Instagram post. She expressed her fatigue in continuously having to defend herself against such attacks, highlighting the distressing nature of the recurring mistreatment she faces as her fame grows.

The singer lamented the lack of protection against the toxic environment created by online comment sections, where cruel remarks often go unchecked. Despite the disabling of comments on Radio 1’s Instagram posts of her performance at Big Weekend, CMAT pointed out that other artists were not subjected to the same censorship.

In a poignant gesture of solidarity, CMAT shared a fan’s Substack essay that resonated with her feelings of sadness, drawing attention to the differential treatment of artists like Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean. The essay shed light on the unfair disparities in how women performers are judged and criticized based on their appearance.

During her set in Sunderland, CMAT bravely addressed the unkind comments she received after her previous festival appearance, acknowledging the challenges of navigating extreme beauty standards. The artist’s defiant stance was evident as she proclaimed her own self-assurance before performing her empowering song “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me,” which confronts societal pressures on women to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind her music, CMAT revealed that the negative remarks she faced following her performance at Big Weekend in Luton fueled her creativity and contributed to the creation of her song. Despite the adversity she has faced, the artist continues to use her platform to advocate for self-acceptance and challenge harmful stereotypes imposed on women in the music industry and beyond.

CMAT’s bravery in sharing her vulnerability and standing up against body-shaming serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where artists can thrive without fear of judgment or ridicule. As she navigates the complexities of fame and public scrutiny, CMAT remains steadfast in her commitment to promoting body positivity and empowering individuals to embrace their unique identities.