A Red Carpet Under Fire
The flashbulbs at Oslo’s Elle Gala had barely dimmed on Wednesday night before the digital backlash began. For 34-year-old influencer Wanda Mashadi, who attended the event with her twin sister, Vita, the evening served as yet another reminder of the relentless scrutiny directed at her physical appearance. By Thursday, she had taken to Instagram to push back against the vitriol.
The feedback loop was immediate and biting. Social media users flooded photos from the red carpet with remarks claiming the sisters looked “much prettier before” and labeling their current appearance as “horrible.” For Mashadi, who has spent a decade in the public eye, the volume of unsolicited commentary has reached a breaking point.
The Weight of Public Scrutiny
Mashadi describes the environment as exhausting. According to VG, she faces daily criticism regarding her physique, often hearing she is either “too fat” or “too thin.” She finds the behavior particularly galling coming from adults, arguing that her status as a public figure has been weaponized to suggest her body is open for constant evaluation.
The impact of this negativity extends beyond her personal frustration. Mashadi expressed genuine sadness, not just for herself, but for those in her life forced to witness the ongoing stream of derogatory remarks. In a text message to VG, she issued a simple appeal: “I hope we can be kind to each other and generally stop commenting on bodies and appearance.”
A Rigorous Path to Fitness
The current criticism ignores the specific, high-intensity reality of the sisters’ lifestyle. In January 2023, the twins overhauled their routines, transitioning from occasional exercise to a rigorous daily training regimen. Mashadi remains transparent about this work, which currently includes preparation for an 80-kilometer run and the Bislett 24-hour ultramarathon.
The Bislett 24, an indoor event held at Oslo’s Bislett Stadium, requires participants to run around a track for 24 hours to cover as much distance as possible. Despite the discipline required for such a feat, Mashadi continues to face pressure to justify her physical evolution. She acknowledges that her appearance has shifted over the last ten years and expects it will continue to change, yet she maintains that the constant negativity is fundamentally harmful.
Setting Boundaries
The decision to speak out was sparked by the surge of comments following the gala, but the issue is systemic. Having been a public figure for ten years, Mashadi has spent a decade dealing with unsolicited opinions. By calling out the behavior now, she is attempting to draw a line against the daily influx of body-shaming that has defined her time in the spotlight.
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