‘I’m A Celebrity’ Fans Have Rallied Around Abbie After Dipper Slut-Shamed Her For Wearing A Bikini
To nobody’s surprise, The Bachelor’s Abbie Chatfield is proving to be the ultimate MVP of this year’s I’m A Celebrity cast, after she schooled footy alum Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico after he slut-shamed her.
A seemingly innocent convo in the jungle took a turn on last night’s episode, when Dipper told Abbie — who was dressed in a bikini at the time — that he wouldn’t let his daughter walk around wearing what she wears. “You’re not going out like that,” he began. “[It’s like] when a father sees her daughter grow up, and you go out to see your boyfriend or whatever, and goes out with a mini skirt. We’re protective of you girls being hurt. It’s like you’re seeking attention and asking for it.”
Umm. Excuse me?
Abbie was not having it and questioned whether Dipper would speak to Ash Williams the same way — as the comedian often walks around the camp without a shirt on.
Lil bit…. #ImACelebrityAU pic.twitter.com/ihp0u4TpEt
— #ImACelebrityAU (@ImACelebrityAU) January 6, 2021
The conversation concluded with Abbie walking off and she ended up in tears. “That’s been said to me like five times in here, and it’s not that it affects me, not that I’m thinking like, ‘Oh, I should cover up,’ it’s just, like, I don’t want that idea to be pushed. It’s just not okay,” she said in her confessional.
“I don’t want young girls or young women to hear that being said and think it’s normal and don’t feel like they can stick up for themselves.”
We mean…… a point was made #ImACelebrityAU pic.twitter.com/hT7wxyoRP0
— #ImACelebrityAU (@ImACelebrityAU) January 6, 2021
While some viewers tweeted that Abbie has misconstrued Dipper’s words, the majority of people watching sided with Abbie — especially female viewers who have experienced this double standard before.
It’s easy just to say ‘OK, boomer!’ and dismiss Dipper’s words as a product of his generation. But this kind of thinking is textbook victim-blaming that feminists have been battling for decades: that women have to censor themselves in order to avoid being harassed by men, rather than men needing to learn to respect women and their bodies.
I’m A Celebrity fans have rallied around Abbie for standing up for herself:
Abbie is making such an important statement. Dipper is more than twice her age! Why the fuck does he even need to comment on what a young woman is wearing!? #ToxicMasculinity #ImACelebrityAU
— Em Jordan ? (@McEmzieEmz) January 6, 2021
NO NO NO! No-one is EVER ‘Asking for it’ This is a saying and an excuse that men use. It not and will never be tolerated. #ImACelebrityAU pic.twitter.com/3w3yY4m6in
— I'mACelebrity (@ImACelebrityAUS) January 6, 2021
Abbie afraid she would be seen as “difficult” because she stood up for herself is probably the most heartbreaking part because it’s an all too common narrative for women #ImACelebrityAU
— Keely Willis (@keelywillis_) January 6, 2021
How about instead of growling at girls for what they are wearing.. start teaching boys/men to respect a woman’s body and choice. #ImACelebrityAU
— I'mACelebrity (@ImACelebrityAUS) January 6, 2021
fuck off with the generation gap – it’s offensive. period.
and fyi no one – no matter what they were wearing – is “asking for it”
i’m proud of you abbie for saying something #ImACelebrityAU— k i k i ? (@jadedcherryy) January 6, 2021
Did you tell Ash he was “asking for it” when he was walking around shirtless? No?? Interesting #ImACelebrityAU
— dug (@gaelic_princess) January 6, 2021
Good for you, Abbie. You did us all proud.