What Gigi Hadid's "Hairspray" Video Says About the Sad State of Body Inclusivity

The latest rendition of "Hairspray" is as tragic as a Target DEI rollback.

Vogue's latest stunt, featuring the oh-so-thin Gigi Hadid in a "Hairspray"-inspired video for the magazine's April cover story, is like serving a triple-shot of gaslighting with a side of cultural insensitivity for dinner. Any theater nerd will tell you that when the casting call is for "Hairspray," it means it's time for the often-overlooked big girls, Black divas, and drag queens to finally take center stage. The Broadway classic is a raucous, heartfelt celebration of plus-size empowerment and the fight against segregation. And now, here we are, watching Vogue seemingly de-center the very message that made the musical iconic.

Let's be real: "Hairspray" was built on the idea that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Yet Vogue's casting choice feels like a cosmic mix-up . . . a blatant oversight that leaves us scratching our heads. I can hear the eye rolls behind the screens as TikTokers commented, "What's the purpose of a Hairspray-inspired shoot without a plus-size model?" and, "Yes, Hairspray! The musical famously about a thin woman!" Indeed, their sarcasm captures the issue at hand here: the original production is not about thinness at all. It's about challenging the norms and making room for those who defy society's unrealistic standards.

Vogue's version of "You Can't Stop the Beat" is clearly offbeat, more like a misfired drum solo than a catchy bop. By sidelining plus-size representation, Vogue isn't just missing the mark — it's rewriting the playbook on body positivity (as if they haven't already had enough practice in washing out diversity) while riding the latest cultural wave that thin is back in, thanks to weight-loss drugs like Ozempic.

That our country's definitive fashion magazine made a decision to skinny-wash "Hairspray" is a reflection of a broader cultural shift we are all navigating. We're in an era where the quest for thinness is so glorified that even a musical known for its message of inclusion gets twisted into a platform for a narrow, almost toxic ideal. The disconnect is palpable — a show meant to be a defiant celebration of body diversity now feels like a watered-down, homogenized tribute to a predictable, outdated aesthetic.

Vogue's decision goes beyond a simple miscasting; it speaks volumes about the renewed wave of media increasingly fixated on slimness at the expense of diversity. With every glossy shoot and high-budget production, we're reminded that in this cultural moment, thinness isn't just preferred — it's expected. And if that means sidelining plus-size representation in a tribute to one of the most inclusive musicals ever created, then the media is sending a message louder than any choreographed number: diversity is optional.

By choosing to cast a slender icon in a narrative that should have been a full-throated celebration of curves and character, Vogue not only betrays the spirit of "Hairspray" but also reinforces a cultural narrative where thinness is the default and any deviation is simply, well, out of vogue. It's as if the industry forgot that true rhythm comes from embracing all voices, all bodies, and all stories — even those that don't fit into the narrow confines of an idealized, thin silhouette.

Yes, this is happening, but we can't afford to fall asleep at the wheel. We must keep our eyes wide open, keep calling out these misfires, and demand that our cultural icons — especially those as beloved as "Hairspray" — stay true to their roots of celebrating every fabulous, diverse body that graces the stage. One can only hope that in the future, media and fashion will step up and embrace true inclusivity rather than settling for an unseasoned, offbeat remix of a beloved classic.

CeCe Olisa is a trailblazing voice in inclusive health and beauty, dedicated to inspiring plus-size and Black women to embrace self-care with confidence. As the founder of Cocoa by CeCe and the creator of the Curve Method, CeCe blends personal experience with expert insights to make wellness accessible, joyful, and empowering for all.