Chiki Kuruka speaks against growing obsession with thin bodies
By Paulette Mboga, September 29, 2026Chiki Kuruka has spoken against the growing obsession with thin bodies, saying the return of the thinness aesthetic is taking society back to the size zero obsession of the 1990s.
Kuruka made the remarks while responding to the fat-shaming directed at Tyla after the VMAs. She said the focus on body size was concerning, especially because similar pressure had been seen in the past.
“And this right here is the result of the thinness aesthetic that is yet again taking over the world. I thought we were over the size O obsession in the 90s, that we KNOW caused mental health issues,” Chiki Kuruka said on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Kuruka said she was disappointed to see the same path being taken again. She also questioned the way thinness is now being presented, saying the trend was being linked to health.
“It’s so disappointing seeing us travel this road again, and this time even worse, masking it as health,” Kuruka said.
Her comments came after Tyla was subjected to body-shaming following the VMAs. The discussion around the singer’s body also drew a response from Chebet Ronoh, who questioned why people continued to focus on Tyla’s appearance.
Calls for Tyla to be left alone
Ronoh said the singer had faced repeated criticism over her body and questioned those who continued to comment about her weight. She also urged people to consider how their own words could affect others.
“Are you guys planning to leave Tyla alone anytime soon? It is absolutely crazy. You guys bully this woman,” Chebet Ronoh said.
Ronoh said the constant comments about Tyla’s body had gone too far. She pointed out that people who engage in fat-shaming should also consider how they would feel if similar comments were directed at them.
“Let us look in the mirror because aii, you must leave her alone. Tyla this, Tyla that,” Ronoh said.
She further said that the same people criticising Tyla’s body may also face comments about their own appearance. Ronoh used her own experience to question the continued attention on the singer’s weight.
“If you are fat-shaming this woman, sijui mtasema nini juu yangu,” Ronoh said.
Kuruka’s remarks linked the discussion to the return of the thinness aesthetic, while Ronoh’s response focused on the continued body-shaming of Tyla. Both comments came as attention remained on the singer’s appearance after the VMAs.
Kuruka said society should be careful about returning to the body standards associated with the size zero obsession of the 1990s.