Plus-size influencer Remi Bader is facing backlash after turning her back on the community that made her famous.
On Wednesday, March 26, Bader appeared on Khloé Kardashian’s podcast “Khloé in Wonder Land,” where she revealed she had undergone weight-loss surgery back in 2023.
Bader shared that she lost 140 pounds less than a year after having 80% of her stomach removed in a gastric sleeve and bypass surgery.
Fans are accusing her of lying and perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, arguing that she hid her weight-loss surgery for two years — all under the guise of focusing on herself and mental health.
She made it seem as though her weight loss was due to lifestyle changes and mindset shifts rather than a medical procedure.
The choice to go on a podcast with Khloe Kardashian only added fuel to the fire.
The Kardashians, especially Khloé, have long been criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, from heavily editing photos to endorsing weight-loss products like appetite suppressant lollipops and “Flat Tummy Tea” to young women.
For many, the conversation felt a little tone deaf because Bader built her platform around self-acceptance, body confidence and learning to love herself through highs and lows.
No one cares that she lost weight; it’s about the lack of transparency.
Fans argue that Bader went from being a relatable creator known for try-on hauls to subtly flaunting her new body without addressing the drastic change.
I remember I first followed her back when she would clown brands that made “plus size” clothing, proving them horribly wrong, making me cry laughing putting on a funny voice that expressed everyone’s agitation for the stress and confusion that is women’s sizing.
It sparks a conversation about how much information a public figure owes to their fans.
Now, there is such a thing as parasocial relationships, people feeling entitled to knowing every aspect of an influencer’s life, like how much they make off of their videos or the reason behind their last relationship ending.
However, the distinction in this case is that “Remi Bader” is a business — her entire brand is built around being real and honest in her body.
She is no longer just a person; she is a company whose entire platform has profited off of being plus size. Getting brand deals, endorsements and a community that trusted her voice in the body positivity space.
Bader has always been candid in the past, to the point of sharing videos of her struggling to cope with her body image, binge eating and revealing her dark, heavy mindsets. Even goes as far as opening up about her past eating disorders that have taken over her life.
Allegedly, Bader has been blocking fans that inquired about her weight loss, comments that grew video after video as she started to lose more and more weight.
Her body is her own, and she can do anything she wants with it.
But the monetization of her platform by promoting supplements, workout routines and diets while keeping her fans in the dark is where she went wrong.
Many feel duped — Bader has alienated her original audience, and as a result, her body positivity now feels performative.
At its core, this whole scandal really isn’t about weight loss, it’s about authenticity. For an influencer whose brand was built on inclusivity and honesty, staying silent only makes things worse.
