Newlywed’s Harrowing Battle with Online Body Shaming fuels Anti-Bullying Advocacy
A newlywed’s experience with relentless online harassment after her wedding photos were published has transformed into a powerful campaign against cyberbullying and a celebration of body positivity. Chloe pink, wife of Australian Football League (AFL) player Toby Pink, became consumed by reading hateful comments about her body, a pattern that spiraled into an addiction and a crisis of self-worth.
Chloe Pink’s ordeal began after an article detailing her wedding to Toby Pink, a defender for the North Melbourne Roos, was published. While intended to celebrate their happiness, the story quickly became a platform for hundreds of individuals to shame the 25-year-old’s body size. “When I look at the photos I associate it with a particular article or a particular comment … Like I was stuck to my phone and I felt like I couldn’t stop reading them,” Pink revealed to A Current Affair.
The sheer volume and vitriol of the comments were shocking. “even if there was a hate comment, [it] would get thousands of likes, that really shocked me,” she said. This widespread validation of negativity created a “massive roll-on effect,” extending from TikTok and Instagram to numerous other news articles. The newlyweds found themselves plunged into a dark period just weeks after their elopement in Melbourne.
Toby Pink expressed his surprise at the intensity of the backlash. “I think with football, I’m probably used to having a couple comments, and you don’t think too much of it, but you know, the large amount of comments that Chloe got were a big surprise for me,” he stated. The couple had naively shared their wedding photos widely, unaware of the potential for such a hostile response.
The constant barrage of criticism led Chloe to question her own perception of beauty. “I felt really stunning on the day so I did question it, and I thought there’s so many of them, they must be correct?” she admitted. Her self-esteem plummeted, ultimately prompting Toby to seek psychological support for her through the North Melbourne Football Club. “Initially, I was very embarrassed that I was being bullied, and so a lot of tears,” chloe recalled.
A turning point came seven days into the relentless trolling when Chloe bravely decided to confront her tormentors by posting the vulgar comments on TikTok. This act of defiance sparked a significant shift. “I was extremely proud to see her stand up for herself and for others as well,” Toby said.
Chloe has since become a vocal advocate against online bullying, transforming her personal pain into a platform for positive change. “I think I just realised I have this platform … and I think I needed to lean into that and embrace having that platform for good things,” she explained. She now works as a body positive influencer, encouraging young people to focus on what bodies can do rather than how they look.
Her mission has resonated with many, especially women who have experienced similar insecurities. “The feedback [has] been really positive and very honest, often from other women who have experienced body insecurity. Silence is permission,we can’t afford to be silent anymore,” she asserted.
Chloe’s advocacy has also connected her with Dolly’s Dream, a charity established in memory of 14-year-old Dolly Everett, who tragically took her own life after being subjected to online and offline bullying. In a powerful symbolic gesture, Chloe auctioned off her custom-made wedding gown at the TikTok awards, donating all proceeds to Dolly’s Dream.”I feel like our wedding and the wedding dress is serving a purpose… I think this is full circle, I feel like I’ve reclaimed the narrative,” she said.
Further information regarding the dress auction can be found on the dolly’s Dream website. Chloe Pink’s story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of cyberbullying and the importance of speaking out against online hate.