Iowa news anchor & new mom defends herself to body shaming Facebook commenters, response goes viral

IOWA (FOX 32 News) - An award-winning anchor for WHO-TV in Iowa is defending herself after posting a makeup-free photo on Facebook and receiving negative comments.

Erin Kiernan had been trying to have a baby for many years, and finally she did. Then, one morning, she posted a picture to Facebook with her teething son with the caption, “I used to think I knew what exhausted was. Hilarious.”
She received comments of support and praise, but posters also took some digs at her. One person said, "This doesn't even look like the same person!"

However, Kiernan wasn’t just going to take the hate. So, she wrote back with the following:

"Newsflash! These ARE NOT pictures of the same person," she responded, posting her professional headshot alongside the selfie.

"The woman on the left is well rested, spent two hours on her hair and makeup, had a professional photographer take her picture (and photoshop it, I'm sure), and is in the "glowing" second trimester of pregnancy."

"The woman on the right got two hours of sleep (maybe), hadn't looked in the mirror, took a selfie, did not put a filter on it and is covered with spit up and drool from a teething and very crabby baby."

"You are an idiot if you think these are pictures of the same woman."

Kiernan's comeback received immediate praise, striking a cord with fellow moms and other followers who liked her post more than 13,000 times.

"I love that you are so honest and willing to share that you are a normal person just like the rest of us," wrote a mom of three.

"Being a new mommy takes its toll and you are doing great holding down a full time job away from home and a full time job AT home! Keep doing what you're doing and the heck with the haters!!!" wrote another.

Kiernen is one of many that doesn’t put up with body shaming. Hopefully, others will follow in her footsteps. Great job Erin!