CMAT Responds to Body-Shaming After BBC Disables Comments on Performance Video

Irish singer-songwriter, CMAT, has recently addressed body-shaming comments following the BBC‘s decision to disable comments on a video of her live performance at Radio 1‘s Big Weekend.

After performing at the prestigious music event, CMAT faced unwarranted criticism about her appearance, particularly centered around her weight, prompting the BBC to turn off the comments section on the video.

The artist, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has been receiving accolades in the music industry and was recently nominated at the Ivor Novello Awards and Brit Awards for her outstanding work.

In light of the situation, CMAT took to social media to share her experience, revealing that a separate video of her circulating on South American TikTok had also led to derogatory comments about her physical appearance in Spanish.

Last summer, a similar scenario unfolded when BBC 6 Music had to take down a video of indie singer Billy NoMates’ performance at Glastonbury due to mounting personal abuse in the comments section.

Online abuse towards musicians is a pressing issue, with many artists, including female performers, facing discrimination based on their appearance and body size. This trend underscores a broader problem in the music industry, with a recent report highlighting the prevalence of such discrimination and its impact on mental wellbeing.

CMAT’s experience is not unique, as other artists like Jorja Smith and Charli XCX have also spoken out against body-shaming comments they’ve faced online. The toxic culture of critiquing artists’ physical appearance continues to persist despite efforts to combat online abuse.