Is this really too sexy for television?
American plus-size clothing brand Lane Bryant has created a body-positive advert with an empowering message to publicise its #ThisBody campaign.
However, the ad won’t be shown on certain American TV networks because it has failed to meet decency standards.
The 30-second clip features a clutch of models, including Ashley Graham (the first plus-size model to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated), proudly declaring the ways in which they use and appreciate their bodies. It’s celebratory, playful, poignant and inspiring, but TMZ was the first to report that NBC and ABC have rejected this version of the ad - clearly they can't handle #ThisBody.
This has caused huge controversy: it seems the issue is not that the ad is too sexy - the women are mostly modelling underwear and swimwear - but that it features women who do not conform to the skinny ideal that the mainstream media is comfortable having represented.
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge that these are the same networks that frequently broadcast Victoria’s Secret adverts featuring women in tiny lingerie sets.
Oh, and Lane Bryant’s ad also includes a shot of a woman breastfeeding, which we’re already well aware some people consider indecent…
Since the story came to light NBC has made a statement clarifying that the ad was not dismissed altogether: “as part of the normal advertising standards process, we reviewed a rough cut of the ad and asked for minor edits to comply with broadcast indecency guidelines. The ad was not rejected and we welcome the updated creative.”
A representative for Lane Bryant told People
