In today’s world of social media, influencers are often under the microscope, scrutinized for even the smallest details. Recently, fitness influencer Sophie Guidolin found herself at the center of controversy after sharing a birthday post for her 15-year-old son, Kai, that included a picture of her in a bikini. The post sparked widespread debate, with many users criticizing it as “inappropriate.” However, Guidolin wasted no time in addressing the backlash, standing firm in her belief that her post was innocent and entirely normal.
Who is Sophie Guidolin?
Sophie Guidolin is a prominent fitness influencer, mother of four, and the founder of The Bod, a leading online health and fitness program. Residing in Gold Coast, Australia, Guidolin has built a large following by promoting fitness, body positivity, and healthy living. However, being in the public eye comes with challenges, and this recent incident has thrown her into an uncomfortable spotlight.
In 2022, Guidolin posted a series of photos to celebrate her son Kai’s 15th birthday. These photos included everything from childhood memories to a recent picture of Kai embracing his mother while she wore a green leopard print bikini. The seemingly innocent post soon became a subject of heated discussion online.
The Controversy: ‘Inappropriate’ or Misunderstood?
As the post gained traction, social media users began calling out the bikini photo, labeling it as inappropriate. Critics slammed Guidolin for posing in swimwear next to her teenage son, arguing that it was “inappropriate” for a mother to wear a bikini in front of her children in such a setting. Many accused her of crossing a line, with some commenters suggesting she had sexualized the image unintentionally.
The criticism sparked outrage among her followers, many of whom were divided over whether the backlash was justified or if the photo was simply taken out of context.
Sophie Guidolin’s Response to the Backlash
Never one to shy away from confrontation, Guidolin quickly clapped back at the trolls. In an Instagram Story video, the fitness star shared her thoughts on the controversy, defending both her parenting choices and the photo itself.
Queensland fitness star Sophie Guidolin has hit back after she was slammed for posting an 'inappropriate' photo with her teenage son while wearing a leopard print bikini. pic.twitter.com/s5eCOSVOl6
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) April 5, 2022
“I just want to say, for those who’ve followed me for a while, you may remember I posted a bikini workout on the beach that had Kai in it, and I got slammed for it,” she recalled. This was not the first time Guidolin had faced criticism for wearing a bikini in her son’s presence, but her stance remained unchanged.
Guidolin explained that she regularly wears bikinis in front of her children, emphasizing that to them, it’s completely normal. “Having a body is normal, having body parts is normal, it’s not sexualized, it’s nothing shameful, and it’s something I reiterate and drive home here with my boys,” she shared. Her message was clear: society’s constant sexualization of the human body only fuels unnecessary shame, something she actively works against in raising her children.
Promoting Body Positivity Within Her Family
One of the central themes in Guidolin’s response was the importance of normalizing bodies and body image. “When they see me in a bikini, they don’t think anything other than, ‘Hmm, mum’s tanning, mum’s going to the beach,’” she explained. For her children, seeing their mother in swimwear is as commonplace as any other daily activity, devoid of the sexualized undertones that outsiders imposed on the image.
Guidolin’s son Kai even chimed in on the matter. He expressed confusion over the controversy, stating, “I didn’t even have a second thought of it when I saw the picture at first, then my mom told me she got slammed on Instagram for posting that picture.” His perspective only served to further illustrate Guidolin’s point—what some critics saw as inappropriate was nothing out of the ordinary for her family.
Criticism vs. Cultural Perception
In an appearance on Sunrise, a popular Australian morning show, Guidolin addressed the criticism further. She explained that she was “so surprised” by the level of backlash, pointing out that when she initially posted the picture, her main concern was whether or not her Invisalign braces were visible in the shot—not her bikini.
Avustralya'da fitness eğitmenliği yapan fenomen Sophie Guidolin, oğlunun yanında tanga bikini giydiği gerekçesiyle tepkilerin hedefi oldu. https://t.co/voUUXeuvrr pic.twitter.com/KCNcDmqW7g
— HABER3.com 🇹🇷 (@haber3com) July 29, 2022
Guidolin also discussed the cultural aspect of body image, explaining that she has raised her children to be comfortable in their own skin and with the culture they live in. In her family, the human body is not something to be hidden or ashamed of, a perspective that contrasts sharply with the societal shame some people attach to it.
Why the Backlash May Reflect Larger Issues
The uproar over the post may stem from a broader societal issue of how women’s bodies—and especially mothers’ bodies—are perceived in the public eye. For some, the idea of a mother wearing a bikini around her teenage son breaks unwritten social norms, reflecting outdated views of modesty and propriety. However, Guidolin’s response highlights an important conversation about body positivity and the need to dismantle these outdated notions.
Guidolin’s experience also underscores the double standard that exists for women, particularly when it comes to how their bodies are viewed and judged. If the same photo featured a father in swim trunks with his teenage daughter, would the same criticism have emerged? This discrepancy raises questions about how society applies different standards to mothers and fathers in similar situations.
Conclusion: Standing Strong in the Face of Criticism
Despite the backlash, Sophie Guidolin remains steadfast in her belief that there was nothing wrong with her post. Her message of body positivity, normalizing the human body, and raising children to embrace confidence rather than shame has resonated with many of her followers.
Guidolin’s story serves as a reminder that the internet is quick to judge, but personal values and the way we choose to raise our children are ultimately more important than catering to public opinion. As her son Kai put it, “It’s just normal now, and I don’t get how people can’t understand that.”
By standing firm against online criticism, Guidolin has turned this controversy into an opportunity to speak out about issues of body image, parenting, and societal perceptions, encouraging others to embrace confidence in their own skin—bikini and all.
