Supporters are concerned for YouTuber Eugenia Cooney after a recent TikTok video shared on her social networking site.
The film “Barbie,” inspired by the fashion-forward Cooney, features a hot pink outfit from head to toe. Since its posting on July 21st, the clip has garnered over 16.8 million views.
In the description of the TikTok video, Cooney, who frequently shares fashion-related content on her YouTube channel with over 2.13 million subscribers, penned, “Heyyyy I’m Barbie.”
Nevertheless, a few enthusiasts appeared to be concerned by her excessively slim appearance, which they conveyed in the comments section.
“Sending you well-being and joy,” one individual penned.
Another individual concurred, typing, “Desiring you excellent well-being, my beloved, I trust you can experience vigor and robustness… Your vitality is exceptional.”
“Her ‘worryingly thin figure,'” noted internet personality Oli London on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, reposted the clip as well.
Users inundated the comments with worry.
In London’s repost, a user responded, stating, “This is highly worrisome.” “She has displayed this behavior for quite a while, and I’m amazed that she hasn’t received any assistance for her issues thus far.”
“Another person stated, ‘I am deeply disturbed that this is being advertised on her social media’ as someone who has struggled with anorexia for a long time and is currently in the process of recovering. ‘This visual content is not beneficial for any young females to see. It’s highly provoking.'”
In London, as a response to the comment of an X user, it was expressed, “I am astonished that she has the strength to remain upright, let alone move.” “She seeks assistance and tranquility for her struggle with anorexia, which gives her hope.”
“She is truly on death’s doorstep,” a second X user typed. “This is extremely tragic.”
The Post contacted Cooney for a statement.
On Shane Dawson’s YouTube channel, Cooney featured in a documentary in 2019 following a period of absence from the online world to prioritize her well-being.
According to Metro, the video revealed that she acknowledged experiencing an eating disorder and pursued therapy at a rehabilitation center.
In 2016, a group of dedicated fans urged the famous YouTuber to seek help for what appeared to be a disorder linked to their dietary patterns.
According to a report from Yahoo! Beauty, at that moment, a group of viewers initiated a petition on Change.Org, urging for her exclusion from YouTube, on the grounds that her slender physique was causing distress to her followers. This petition has subsequently been removed.
When reading the petition titled “lack of assistance for girls suffering from Anorexia or any eating disorder,” it is evident that the pictures and videos depict her body as more than 50% smaller, but she may not be intentionally exerting influence on her viewers.
In 2019, she had a conversation with PAPER Magazine regarding her experience.
Cooney informed the publication, “My intention was never to inflict harm upon anyone or encourage them to shed pounds,” as she emphasized that she never discussed her own weight. “However, individuals still pass judgment on you without comprehending that you harbor no ill will.”
She also added that it’s “not really something” that people battling with an eating disorder or mental illness choose to have.
Cooney expressed the desire for the internet to adopt a more positive attitude towards individuals. It would be even more ideal if the internet displayed empathy in a gentler manner, even if the individual may not immediately respond, as long as they show concern.