Sasha-Lee Olivier Faces New Wave Of Body Shaming

Now Miss South Africa 2019/2020, Sasha-Lee Olivier has had hand over her crown and what should have been her last shining moment as the reigning queen, was all ruined by the continued discussion over her weight.

Looking back to her reign Sasha-Lee did not have a year that was just her own. First, is the matter of having taken over the crown from the reigning Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi. When Sasha-Lee was announced as the new Miss South Africa, there were naysayers wondering why we need a “new” Miss SA when we have Zozibini. Or those commentators that did not even care who was officially Miss SA because Zozibini was always going to be their Miss SA 2019/2020.

Read next: Who Is The Reigning Miss SA Anyway?

Once that matter was put to rest and we all believed that Sasha-Lee could now finally enjoy her reign, there was another wave criticism and speculation; her weight. In the time since Sasha-Lee came into the spotlight as a contestant, then runner-up, then Miss SA’s weight has changed. Sasha-Lee’ body has not remained the same, and factually speaking women of the same age group experience the same as the beauty queen.

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It’s almost time for our reigning Miss SA to crown the next woman who will become the voice that will represent our nation with pride. Her advice to our finalists for tonight is that “This year has taught us to see things not for what they are but for what they can be, so it’s so important to focus on that and you can only get thereby remaining true to who you are.” Thank you @sashaleelaurel for paving the way so beautifully for our next queen to walk boldly into their future. You reigned supreme through an unconventional year. You showed South Africa how resilient a queen can be. See your Miss South Africa 2019 live tonight as she graces the stage with her final walk. You still have time to subscribe to misssa.live to be in line to view the first interview with your new Miss South Africa 2020. #misssa2019 #misssouthafrica #finale #misssa2020 #misssafinale #misssatop10
A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) on Oct 24, 2020 at 3:58am PDT

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😬✨ Word of the day: Gratitude 🙏🏽 ❤️ 👗: @woolworths_sa ✨: @optimum_med #misssouthafrica2019 #misssouthafrica
A post shared by S A S H A L A U R E L (@sashaleelaurel) on Oct 23, 2020 at 11:41pm PDT

However, the criticism she faced due to her weight gain was amplified because of her position in public. The matter became public discourse first in June of this year. Tweeps and trolls started to circulate the allegations that Sasha-Lee was expecting and that was the reason for the weight gain.

Is it me or Sasha Lee looks pregnant? #MissSouthAfrica2020
— Kopano❤️ (@Kopanon1) October 24, 2020

People assuming that Sasha Lee is pregnant is fatphobic af because she’s not the ideal body type that SAans have become attuned to seeing on TV.
It’s rude & disrespectful to assume that because her stomach isn’t sucked in, you’d assume that she’s expecting.
Just stop it.
— Mpho Rantao (@mpho_wallflower) October 24, 2020

Sasha Lee had a very terrible reign, from people saying they don’t recognize her as Miss SA to body shaming her saying she is fat and pregnant, i just hope she is okay💔 https://t.co/fpvAAAbM8e
— Vuyiswa Mzinyathi (@vuyiswa612) October 24, 2020

At the time, Sasha-Lee did not address the rumors, but Miss SA did offer a statement regarding the issue. The statement served to the ensure that on public record that the organization was in full support of Sasha-Lee. Moreover, that her journey with her body is exactly that; her journey with her body.

The organisers of the pageant stated that, “Sasha-Lee stood as an advocate for fuller figure women and expanded on the organisation’s prior representations of beauty. We as an organisation stand strong with Sasha Lee with this understanding of beauty and do not take lightly to any form of body shaming and discrimination which is intended to disempower and humiliate her.”

So with the new wave of body shaming following her recent appearance, even ZAlebs have come to her defense. They have made it clear that no hate formed against Sasha-Lee. Pearl Modiadie’s tweet went as far as suggesting that Sasha-Lee must be relieved to give away her crown so that she can finally focus on her herself without the scrutiny of the media.

Also, how are we the same people asking that women are better represented in pageants YET Sasha-Lee gains some weight and the comments start flying. There’s just no winning with that level of hypocrisy. La bhora shem. But let’s all laugh 🙄 https://t.co/KkWH1VhxwE
— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) October 24, 2020

Sasha Lee is probably so relieved to be out of the spotlight now. No one can comment about her weight anymore & continue with the unnecessary speculations.
— 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞 (@PearlModiadie) October 24, 2020

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