For unclear reasons, many social media users assume that an artist’s public success qualifies them to comment on that artist’s physique. While male artists are not immune to this tendency, women typically face the brunt of it. During a recent interview, Lainey Wilson, the ACM’s reigning Entertainer of the Year, addressed her online body shamers.

In an interview with Josh Smith, host of the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, Lainey Wilson addressed the criticism.

“Kiss my fat ass,” she uttered in response to Smith’s question about her response to online body shamers. “I’m playing,” she said with a giggle.

Wilson’s rapid rise began in late 2022, with the publication of her GRAMMY-winning fourth album, Bell Bottom Country. During that time, the 32-year-old “Watermelon Moonshine” singer got a whole new set of followers after, as she described it, “my butt went viral on TikTok.”

At first, Wilson was amused by the attention. However, the Baskin, Louisiana, native was unprepared for its lengthy life.

“I read far too many remarks about myself. And at the end of the day, I am a storyteller. I believe that words are powerful. That’s why I wanted to make music; I believe words are powerful,” she explained. “And even if you don’t believe what somebody says about you, even putting your eyes on it for a split second can kind of leave a little mark…

Lainey Wilson attempted to be attentive to the input she was receiving. However, she confesses that there were occasions when the conversation about her physique got to her.

“I felt like at one point, social media was really preventing me from taking whatever that next step was that I needed to do,” said Smith of her. At that moment, I made a conscious decision to stop reading it. and it has been a hardship.”

Nevertheless, Wilson has successfully navigated this region with her signature Southern sass and elegance. “I believe some individuals didn’t receive a lot of attention as children,” she shared with Smith. “And it shows.”