Actress, writer, and podcaster Jameela Jamil has announced that she will not work with any brands in the diet industry. Speaking at Cannes Lions, Jamil explained that she is not interested in projects that restrict women’s freedom or make them feel bad about themselves. Instead, she wants to work with brands that help women improve their mental health and well-being.
Why Jameela Jamil is Avoiding the Diet Industry
Jamil is a vocal advocate for body positivity and mental health. She believes that the diet industry perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces the idea that women need to restrict their food intake to be happy and successful. By working with brands that promote healthy living and well-being, Jamil hopes to change this narrative and empower women to feel good about themselves.
According to Jamil, progress in this area must be incremental. She believes that brands that have not been progressive in the past can still make positive changes and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse society. However, she is clear that she will not work with brands that promote harmful messages or perpetuate negative stereotypes.
The Importance of Mental Health and Well-being
Jamil is passionate about promoting mental health and well-being. She hosts the podcast “I Weigh,” which provides a safe space for discussions about mental health and social justice. Through this platform, as well as her Instagram account, Jamil hopes to create a fitness movement that focuses on growing mental health in an accessible way.
Jamil’s “Move for Your Mind” campaign aims to encourage people to exercise for the mental health benefits, rather than for physical appearance. She wants to break down the punitive exercise culture that exists and promote exercise as a way to bring joy and hope into people’s lives.
The I Weigh Movement
Jamil’s I Weigh movement began in April 2020, after she saw pictures of famous women with their weight written across their body on Instagram. She decided to create a movement that focused on the sum of a person’s parts, rather than their weight. This led to a viral movement that lasted for three years, with people sharing what they weigh under Jamil’s metric.
The movement has since turned into a podcast that provides a safe and welcoming space for discussions about mental health and social justice. Jamil believes that the success of the podcast is due to its authenticity and intimacy, which allows listeners to connect with her on a personal level.
Jameela Jamil’s refusal to work with brands in the diet industry is a powerful statement about the importance of body positivity and mental health. By promoting healthy living and well-being, Jamil hopes to empower women to feel good about themselves and break down harmful stereotypes about body image. Her I Weigh movement and podcast provide a safe and welcoming space for discussions about mental health and social justice, and her “Move for Your Mind” campaign aims to encourage people to exercise for the mental health benefits.