Model deemed too fat for Facebook

  • 24/05/2016
Tess Holliday (Getty)
Tess Holliday (Getty)

Facebook has apologised after rejecting an ad featuring a plus-size model in a bikini, telling event organisers to use a photo of someone "running or riding a bike" instead.

The event, organised by Australian feminist group Cherchez la Femme, was for an event titled 'Feminism and Fat'.

Model deemed too fat for Facebook

After putting in a request to 'boost' a post promoting the event, Cherchez la Femme was told their chosen image -- of model Tess Holliday -- showed an "extremely undesirable" body that could "make viewers feel bad about themselves".

"Facebook has ignored the fact that our event is going to be discussing body positivity and has instead come to the conclusion that we've set out to make women feel bad about themselves by posting an image of a wonderful plus-sized woman," the group posted on its Facebook page.

"Facebook seemingly has no idea that plus-sized, self-describing fat women can feel great about themselves."

Banned images, according to Facebook's response, include:

Cherchez la Femme replaced the image with a stock photo of a large woman riding a bicycle.

Model deemed too fat for Facebook

After outrage from supporters and members of the group, the social media giant issued an apology.

"Our team processes millions of advertising images each week, and in some instances we incorrectly prohibit ads," Facebook said in a statement.

"This image does not violate our ad policies. We apologise for the error and have let the advertiser know we are approving their ad."

Cherchez la Femme has since reinstated the image of Ms Holliday.

Newshub.