Our new What’s Underneath star, Bustle editor Marie Southard Ospina, is talking about fat as much as she can, as in, “I’m the fattest I’ve ever been, but I’m also the prettiest I’ve ever been.” As a teen, Marie tried to eradicate her natural shape and conform to her Latino family’s beauty ideals of having big breasts, thick thighs, but no fat. However, a year abroad in Spain (where no talked about how big your butt was behind your back) took Marie from from-hiding baggy jeans and tees to form-flaunting dresses and belly shirts. In a world where telling someone that they lost weight is always considered praise, we love Marie’s mission of breaking fat away from its “treacherous connotations” and showing that it’s just as praiseworthy to be the weight that you naturally (and healthfully) are. On the front lines of the body-image battle, Marie fearlessly calls out fat-shamers while spreading the plus-size acceptance that her struggles have taught her. After watching Marie’s episode, you may find yourself condemning your body less and being a little more grateful just to have one at all.

xo,
Elisa + Lily

Follow Marie on Instagram: @mariesouthardospina
Follow her on Twitter: @mariesouthard
Marie's video was edited by Andrea Cruz
What's Underneath is produced by Elisa, Lily, & Mona

Thank you, Chantelle Lingerie, for sponsoring this episode and for providing Marie with a personal bra fitting and the lingerie shown in this video. For more info about Chantelle, please visit their website.

All editorial decisions were made by us (StyleLikeU) and are in keeping with the mission of the What’s Underneath Project.