9 Web Series About Body Neutrality That Will Change How You View Yourself
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
Every one of us is conditioned to want to have that perfect body. We pick and prod at our skin and try to banish our so-called “imperfections” away. What we often forget is that we were not made to fit into the same mold. Humans are unique and different and it’s no secret that learning to love ourselves is a herculean task. You might think your best friend’s body looks amazing and she may think her neighbor next door has the perfect body. When you browse channels on your television (or even your Instagram feed), you are bombarded with images about the “perfect body”, showcasing fair skin and thin limbs on your screen. Yet, if you take a walk down your street you’d realize that not many people fit into that tiny mold.
Well, we can thank the body positivity movement and now the “body neutrality” movement for changing things a little bit! If you are unsure of what body neutrality means, then we’ve got the answer for you. It means taking a neutral perspective when it comes to the shape of your body. It means that it’s okay if you don’t love your body every day but you still appreciate it for everything that it does for you. Thankfully, plenty of OTT platforms and TV shows have taken note and decided to release more movies featuring unique bodies, perspectives, colors, shapes, and sizes. So grab some popcorn and prepare for a binge sesh with these nine incredible shows about body neutrality:
1. Pushpavalli
It’s incredibly rare to see plus-sized women land lead roles in major series and Pushpavalli does just that. We get to see the ever so witty and unique Sumukha Suresh playing the lead role of Pushpavalli and doing things that aren’t stereotypically done by women. The show breaks boundaries and creates a space for self-love and body neutrality while being equally hilarious and binge-worthy. Be sure to binge both seasons one after the other if you haven’t watched the first one yet!
2. Oh My Venus
Oh My Venus is all about losing those pounds in the healthiest way possible. While most TV series out there like to focus on making contestants drop as many pounds as possible quickly, this interesting K-drama focuses on finding inner beauty. The show looks for scientific and health-conscious ways to get the right body for the contestant.
3. Orange Is The New Black
Orange Is The New Black is unabashed in its portrayal of bodies that are unconventional. Thankfully, most of the world noticed this and it has received critical acclaim for the way it has depicted different types of bodies throughout its runtime. The series follows the story of Piper Chapman who has been sentenced to fifteen months in a women’s prison for drug trafficking. All of her co inmates come in various shapes, forms, and sizes and have a narrative that humanizes their characters.
4. Insecure
It is very rare to see a body that is overweight engage in intimate acts on film and television, and much less so in an uninhibited way. In season two of Insecure, we get to see Kelli, who is one of the best friends of Issa (the main character), engage in some wild acts at a diner after she hits a club. Kelli comes across as confident and secure in herself and isn’t ashamed to get what she wants.
5. Unbreakable Kimmy Smidt
The unfortunate truth is that the body positivity movement has often centered around the experiences of women. Unfortunately, femme, queer men are often ignored by this movement. Well, then walk in Titus Andromedon! Kimmy Schmidt’s best friend is absurd, ridiculous, and insane in the best way possible. He is extra AF, chubby, and the most unapologetic person you could meet. Plus his recreation of Lemonade is the absolute best and so iconic!
6. Tall Girl
Jodi Keyman is tall. And when we say tall, we mean she’s the tallest person in her school. The teen stands out among her shorter peers and is often treated as an outcast for it. This is when she falls into a surprising love triangle and ultimately realizes that height is nothing she should feel ashamed of.
7. Queer Eye
Self-love isn’t just limited to women and is for everyone regardless of nationality, gender, etc. Queer Eye is a gorgeous makeover show that doesn’t just help people find a better lifestyle for themselves but helps them appreciate themselves for who they actually are.
8. Shrill
In Shrill, we get to see the ever so brilliant Aidy Bryant of SNL fame play a struggling journalist called Annie Easton. While Annie wants to change her life, she doesn’t feel the need to change her body. Despite this, she is repeatedly fat-shamed by her fitness trainer and colleagues. She tries all the tricks in the books to lose weight in the first initial episodes until she learns to start loving herself for who she is.
9. She Was Pretty
She Was Pretty is a show that is all about proving one’s talent. It tries to show that talent is more important than what people think you should look like. We love that at the end of this story it is the mindset that changes and not appearances. This show is a light-hearted and fun K-drama for those looking to have a sip of positivity over the weekend.
Sometimes all we really need is a character that we can relate to and who we see undergoing the same struggles as us. Seeing them confidently embrace their bodies can help us slowly start to embrace our own skin too. Do you like to watch shows where the characters are closer to your body type? Let us know in the comment section below!
