Chloë Grace Moretz, a well-known actress, recently opened up about how online body shaming, specifically related to the “Peter Griffin Long Legs” meme, significantly impacted her self-image and mental health. The meme, referencing a running gag from the animated sitcom “Family Guy,” compared Moretz’s physique to the character Legs Go All the Way Up Griffin, Peter Griffin’s great aunt, known for her disproportionately long legs. This seemingly humorous comparison had a deeply negative effect on the actress, highlighting the dark side of internet culture and its impact on body image.
The Origin of the “Peter Griffin Long Legs” Meme and Chloë Grace Moretz
The “peter griffin long legs” meme stems from a recurring joke in “Family Guy” featuring Legs Go All the Way Up Griffin. This character is visually striking due to her extremely long legs and minimal torso. While intended for comedic effect within the cartoon, the imagery took an unexpected turn when it was used to target Chloë Grace Moretz. In 2016, paparazzi photos of Moretz carrying pizza into a hotel surfaced online. These images, showing her in a black shirt, shorts, and heels, were manipulated by internet trolls to exaggerate her proportions, making her torso appear shorter and legs longer. The altered images were then directly compared to Legs Go All the Way Up Griffin, creating a viral meme that relentlessly mocked her body shape.
Chloë Grace Moretz’s Experience with Body Shaming and the Meme
In a candid interview with Hunger magazine, Chloë Grace Moretz revealed the emotional toll this meme had on her. She described how “everyone was making fun of my body” and recounted seeking validation from someone, only to be dismissively told to “shut the f— up, it’s funny.” This response further invalidated her feelings and amplified the hurt caused by the online mockery. Moretz articulated the core issue: “my body is being used as a joke and it’s something that I can’t change about who I am, and it is being posted all over Instagram.” The public nature of the shaming, amplified by social media platforms like Instagram, intensified her distress and made it difficult to escape the negativity.
The actress specifically mentioned the 2016 paparazzi photo incident as a deeply impactful moment. She explained, “It was something so benign as walking into a hotel with leftovers.” The ordinariness of the situation contrasted sharply with the extraordinary and cruel reaction it provoked online. Even years later, Moretz confessed, “to this day, when I see that meme, it’s something very hard for me to overcome,” highlighting the lasting psychological impact of online body shaming. The “peter griffin long legs” comparison became a constant reminder of the internet’s capacity for cruelty and its potential to distort self-perception.
The Impact on Body Image and Retreat from the Public Eye
The relentless mockery and “peter griffin long legs” meme significantly impacted Moretz’s body image and confidence. She admitted to feeling “kind of sad” and “super self-conscious” about her appearance, especially when facing cameras and public appearances. This experience contributed to a period where she became a “recluse,” withdrawing from the public spotlight to protect herself from further negativity and scrutiny.
Moretz also connected her experience to the broader issue of body dysmorphia, noting, “body dysmorphia — which we all deal with in this world — is extrapolated by the issues of social media. It’s a headf—.” She recognized that social media exacerbates pre-existing insecurities about body image and creates an environment where harmful comparisons and criticisms thrive.
Returning to the Spotlight and Moving Forward
Despite the painful experience with the “peter griffin long legs” meme and its aftermath, Chloë Grace Moretz has gradually returned to the public eye. She has continued her acting career, appearing in films like “Mother/Android,” “Tom & Jerry,” and “Shadow in the Cloud,” demonstrating her resilience and commitment to her craft. Her willingness to speak openly about her experience with body shaming serves as a powerful statement against online bullying and a reminder of the importance of body positivity and self-acceptance in a digital age.
Review of Chloë Grace Moretz in “Shadow in the Cloud”.
