Late Monday night, Demi Lovato posted a stunning lingerie photo (shot by Angelo Kritikos, embedded below) on her social media channels.
Whether focusing on the surface-level (she looks great) or more substantive (a known advocate for self-empowerment and body positivity was showcasing her confidence) elements, the reactions were largely positive.
Of course, the photo was posted on the Internet, which means some negative sentiment also emerged.
By standing up for herself and condemning Internet negativity, Lovato nonetheless turned the criticism into a positive.
As buzz developed over Lovato’s initial post, Idolator editor Mike Wass wrote, “Demi turning into an Instagram model is 2018’s most depressing development.”
(Signaled by the “depressing” classification, “Instagram model” was being used as an insult — as it often is in cases involving pop music fans)
Lovato’s friend, fellow musician and past collaborator Iggy Azalea responded: “All I read was, ‘A woman feeling confident, happy and beautiful in her own skin on social media depresses me.’ That’s depressing, but unfortunately not a development. #FlauntItDemi.”
Wass quickly deleted his Tweet, but Lovato caught wind of the controversy — and responded with Tweets of her own.
She first thanked Azalea, “I [love] you @IGGYAZALEA.. thanks for always having my back…f*cking love you.”
She then offered her commentary on the situation.
“I don’t understand why people feel the need to express their negativity on the internet for the world to see as if the world actually gives a sh*t about their nasty opinions anyway,” wrote Lovato in a Tweet that has received 44,000 re-Tweets and 142,000 likes in under 24 hours.
“If you don’t have anything meaningful to say, don’t say it,” added the pop star. “Ask yourself who is benefitting (sic) from your tweet and what it is you’re actually gaining from it.”