Gabrielle Union Gave a Pregnant News Anchor a Fresh New York & Company Wardrobe After She Was Body-Shamed
Body shamers should know by now that when they come after someone, the Internet will take them to task. This time it was actress, author, and designer Gabrielle Union, who, after hearing about one news anchor’s story of being called out for wearing a formfitting dress while pregnant, decided to show her support in the best (and chicest) way possible.
In a #WomanCrushWednesday post on her Twitter and Instagram accounts, Union gave a shout-out to Laura Warren, a broadcaster based in Georgia. A few months ago, when she was 20 weeks pregnant, Warren received a rude voice mail from a viewer who complained about one of the outfits she wore during a broadcast, according to People; the person reportedly called her “too disgusting to be on TV” and told her to “buy some decent maternity clothes.”
Warren candidly wrote about the incident and how the viewer’s comments affected her on her blog back in July: “I consider myself a confident, pretty secure, independent, woman. Why was I letting this one ridiculous, negative comment ruin my whole day? I’ve gotten dozens of compliments from viewers saying nice things about my pregnancy; why was this the one that stuck?” For the sake of her child, who was born in November, Warren decided to take the high road. “I think instead of letting this lady get me down, I’m just going to turn her negative energy into positive energy,” she concluded in her post. “I’m going to say as many nice things as I can to as many people as I can, and I’m going to do it in a dress that fits these beautiful new curves with my ‘watermelon’ stomach showing.”
This week Union shared Warren’s story on her social channels, applauding her for holding her head high and wearing what she wanted to wear. “Instead of letting this [body shaming] bring her down, she fought the good fight and decided to turn the negative energy into positive by saying nice things to as many people as possible and spreading love,” she wrote. “Plus, she continues to wear whatever feels good to her while on TV! Keep doing you, Laura!”
The Being Mary Jane star did more than just give Warren the #WCW title—she promised to outfit her in some Gabrielle Union for New York & Company. “I’m going to send you some ? outfits from my @nyandcompany collection so you can flaunt what your mama gave ya!”
Warren expressed her gratitude for Union’s #WCW gift with a tweet of her own. “Thanks for the love,” Warren wrote yesterday. “Such an honor coming from such a beautiful, hard-working, and inspiring lady like you!”
There’s no better way to get back at a body shamer than staying confident in whatever you feel like wearing. Both Union and Warren deserve some snaps for handling unkind comments with poise. Consider them our woman crushes of the week.
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