The Hall of Photoshopping Woes just welcomed its latest honoree when pop singer Meghan Trainor got tangled up in a minor music-video scandal involving what looks like an artificially tiny waist. Trainor released the video for her single "Me Too" on Monday. Her new album "Thank You," goes on sale on May 13.
The video shows Trainor in a variety of outfits, including her pajamas and a giraffe costume. All of these scenes look pretty normal. She later appears dancing in a line with other women. This is when things get suspicious. When she turns to face forward, she appears to have a very tiny waist. Trainor had the video removed and then released a new version on Tuesday.
"It's rude. It's insulting," Trainor told USA Today. She says she didn't ask for her appearance to be altered and was surprised to see her look in the final video.
Fans seem to be supportive of Trainor. "Glad you won't stand for ridiculous photoshopping! Can't wait to see the video when they fix it. Stay beautiful, stay you," writes a follower on Facebook.
Trainor is known for her body-positive messages. Her first hit was "All About That Bass," a doo-wop-flavored ode to embracing your own size and look. One notable line: "I see the magazine working that Photoshop. We know that **** ain't real. Come on now, make it stop." The new song "Me Too" includes the lyrics "I can't help loving myself."
Celebrity Photoshop kerfuffles are common. Last year, pop star Justin Bieber became the topic of conversation over a Calvin Klein underwear ad campaign that may have been digitally manipulated.
Just last month, Trainor appeared on the cover of Seventeen magazine. Seventeen's Instagram reveal of the cover led to fan comments speculating that the photo was altered. "They should let her be her real size which is beautiful," one Instagram user commented. Based on the video-removal move, Trainor seems to agree.