Gigi Hadid‘s critics might want to think twice before going after another person’s weight—model or not.
On Monday, after a walking at New York Fashion Week the previous Thursday and Friday, the model addressed speculation that she’s “too thin” and possibly using drugs to achieve her small figure on Twitter, opening up about the diagnosis that’s been the cause.
Hadid, 22, shared that when she began modeling at 17, she had yet to be diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, a condition that makes the immune system attack the thyroid gland. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease causes symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight gain, joint pain, and muscle weakness. As a result, she faced inflammation and weight gain, causing these same critics to say she was “too big for the industry“when she wasn’t allowed to wear a skin-revealing piece for Tommy Hilfiger’s fall 2015 show.
But after her diagnosis, Hadid wrote, she started medication and even took part in a medical trial to help balance her thyroid levels. She feels much healthier, she wrote, but as a result, she’s skinnier—even thinner than she wants to be.
And that is that Hadid wrote. She won’t further explain why her body looks the way it does, nor does she feel anyone else should have to explain, either. Hadid also denied rumors that she uses drugs, asking people to “stop putting me in that box just because you don’t understand the way my body has matured.”
“Gigi took it on herself to fire back on social. She didn’t consult with anyone before she did that. Certain things she likes to handle on her own. Gigi keeps it real,” a source told E! about Hadid’s Twitter thread, saying she was “really hurt” by the comments on her appearance.
Across Twitter, other users with Hashimoto’s disease shared stories of their diagnosis, writing that they appreciated Hadid’s story for shedding light on the condition.
I have Hashimoto’s as well as hypothyroidism. Along w/ severe IBS-D. I’ve put on weight & people assume it’s because I eat junk food 24/7 & am lazy. Don’t judge what u don’t know or understand. I live w/ the stomach virus every single day. U would think I’d look like a stick.
— Dawn Marie Hennessey (@Marietwety) February 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/juliemarieju/status/962837813023662080
I have so much respect for this. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos when I was around 10 years old. I have faced so much scrutiny from family members and peers who didn’t understand the trials it puts your body through. I appreciate that GiGi is bringing light to this issue
— alley (@urgothex) February 12, 2018
Ditto…Well, except I’m not a supermodel so there’s that small difference😉😉 Thank you for sharing @GiGiHadid I’ve never heard someone be so open about it and nail exactly how I feel. Thanks again, gorgeous girl ❤️
— Rachael O’Brien (@rachaelnobrien) February 12, 2018
was also diagnosed with hashimoto’s a few years ago. i haven’t been able to get out of bed except to go to the bathroom for the last 6 days. can’t tell if it’s depression or extreme fatigue from hashimoto’s
— Reckful (@Byron) February 12, 2018
Hadid’s friends, too, responded positively to her posts, supporting her in their replies.
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/962855405415145472
alternate tweet: “fuck off” ❤️
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 12, 2018
Ultimately, Hadid said she wants people across social media to have more empathy for others—especially when platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram only allow for people to see so little insight into the actual lives of the people they’re watching.
“Use your energy to lift those that you admire rather than be cruel to those you don’t,” Hadid wrote.
Read Hadid’s full Twitter thread about her disease below:
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/962814124479696897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.glamour.com%2Fstory%2Fgigi-hadid-tweets-to-body-shamers
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/962814160596881410
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/962814193572466688
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/962814216133660677
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/962814257237778432
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/962814325663715330
H/T Glamour
