Yellowjackets and Don’t Look Up star Melanie Lynskey slams online body-shamers: ‘Skinny doesn’t equal healthy’

Melanie Lynskey has a message for fans of Yellowjackets who think it’s appropriate to comment on her body: Don’t.

On January 28, Lynskey opened up about the body-shaming she’s experienced since the Showtime drama premiered in November 2021. The series jumps between 1996 and 2021, tracking the story of a group of teenage girls who survived a plane crash in the remote Canadian wilderness only to be forced to commit unspeakable acts to stay alive. Lynskey plays the adult version of Shauna, who must come to terms with those actions as a stalker forces the women to face their trauma 25 years later. 

Since the premiere, Lynskey was disappointed by comments she has seen on social media about her body. “Most egregious are the ‘I care about her health!!’ people… b— you don’t see me on my Peloton,” she tweeted. “You don’t see me running through the park with my child. Skinny does not always equal healthy.”

When writer Jenelle Riley replied to Lynskey’s tweet, writing, “Oh the strangers who are bigger experts on my health than my doctor are my FAVORITE* *not really,” Lynskey responded, “I mean…it’s so crazy. Is it going to end in our lifetimes?”

This is not the first time Melanie Lynskey has spoken about body-shaming since the series aired. In early January, the actor revealed that a member of the Yellowjackets production team heavily implied she should try to lose weight while filming. “They were asking me, ‘What do you plan to do? I’m sure the producers will get you a trainer,” Lynskey told Rolling Stone. “They’d love to help you with this.'”

According to Lynskey, her costar Juliette Lewis wrote a letter to the producers on her behalf, while costars Christina Ricca and Tawny Cypress also came to her defense. 

Following Lynskey’s tweet on January 28, Yellowjackets creator Ashley Lyle also shared her support. “This is fucking infuriating,” Lyle tweeted. “I was the ‘skinniest’ I’ve ever been during S1 of YJ and it’s only because I was so stressed I thought I was going to die. I’ve since gained 30 lbs and I hate that even tho I’m actually healthier now people keep asking if I’m ‘okay.’ LET WOMEN EXIST.”

Lynskey replied, “I love you, Ashley. Thank you for always being a champion of women and for always, always making me feel accepted, supported, and valued. I’m happy you are less stressed!!”

This story was originally published on Glamour.com