“Inappropriate Pictures Sent to Me”: Jordan Chiles Opens Up on Disturbing Cyber Bullying as a Child

In a world dominated by the unrelenting gaze of social media, the pervasive issue of body shaming has sadly affected many individuals, irrespective of their achievements. Recently, renowned gymnast Jordan Chiles took centre stage, sharing a compelling narrative. It delves into her brave journey through the challenging realms of cyberbullying and body-shaming. This revelation unfolded on the podcast “The Squeeze.” The focus was on discussing the pivotal topic of mental health and well-being.

Hosted by Taylor Lautner and Taylor Dome, the episode featured Jordan as their guest. Throughout the conversation, Chiles revealed the harsh realities she faced on social media. She shed light on the dark side of online platforms. From bullying to body shaming, Chiles opened up about her experiences. She also discussed the toll it took on her mental health.

Navigating social media’s pitfalls and body image pressures

When the host asked Jordan, “Did anything ever happen social media-wise that made you take a step back, or are you just proactively protecting yourself from the downfalls of social media?” Jordan Chiles revealed a profound journey of navigating through social media. She shed light on her experiences with bullying, threats, inappropriate messages, and the impactful role her mother played in shielding her from these challenges. Chiles said, “I’ve gotten threats, I’ve gotten inappropriate pictures sent to me.” At the age of 17, Jordan was finally allowed to manage her social media independently. However, the scars from past online encounters remained.

She highlighted the prevalence of influencers dealing with body image expectations and the pressure to conform to certain standards. Jordan expressed frustration with the lack of recognition for authenticity on social media. Even telling the truth may lead to misperceptions. As an athlete in the entertainment industry, she emphasized the constant scrutiny and expectations placed upon her appearance. Jordan referred to critics as “bully bots” who criticize without understanding the individual behind the online persona. She encouraged self-reflection for those who engage in online criticism, suggesting that the real problem often lies within themselves.

Jordan acknowledges the importance of social media for her career. However, she admits to taking setbacks and going “ghost” at times to distance herself from the pressures. She emphasizes the need for people to see beyond the superficial aspects and recognize the multifaceted nature of individuals. The conversation shifts towards the topic of body shaming, and Chiles shares her traumatic experiences with a coach who verbally and emotionally abused her.

Jordan Chiles soars above body-shaming with unyielding resilience

Jordan Chiles bravely shared her painful experience of being body-shamed by a former coach. She revealed the emotional and verbal abuse she endured during her gymnastics training. Jordan disclosed instances of being told she looked like a “sack of potatoes” and being compared to unrealistic gymnastic stereotypes. The abuse started when she was around 10 or 11 years old, impacting her self-esteem and relationship with food.

Read More: “Emotionally Ab**ed Me”: U.S. Gymnast Jordan Chiles Makes a Shocking Confession on Ex-Coach’s Behavior

She shared that the emotional toll was so severe that, at times, she questioned the purpose of her life. Jordan expressed that she worked through these deep-rooted issues and pulled herself up.

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