Singer CMAT Slams Body Shaming Abuse

Irish singer-songwriter CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has expressed her frustration with persistent online abuse concerning her body and weight. Following an appearance at BBC's Radio 1 Big Weekend on May 24, 2026, the musician stated on Instagram that she felt compelled to speak out against the escalating harassment. She described the situation as "boring" for her to continuously address but felt unable to stop because it intensifies with her growing fame.

CMAT shared an essay that detailed the "glaring disparity" in online treatment, comparing her experience to that of fellow festival performers Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean, who did not seem to face similar levels of abuse. The singer emphasized that her body size is not a "defiant choice" and that she struggles to change it, feeling she has no "say" in the matter and must endure the hostility. Despite her gratitude for her success, she stated that her enjoyment is "tarnished by the fact that I would be allowed to enjoy it so much more if I was thin."

The singer noted that there is "no relief" from the situation, as no one can protect her from the increasingly hostile environments she encounters. This ongoing scrutiny echoes themes from her previous work, such as her 2025 song "Take a Sexy Picture of Me," which critiqued the intense focus on women's bodies. CMAT is currently touring her third album, "Euro-Country," which includes a sold-out show in Dublin on Saturday.