A meteorologist from Seattle, Washington, who is in her seventh month of pregnancy, has issued a heartfelt message to viewers who have taken it upon themselves to critique her on-screen attire choices. Claire Anderson, a seasoned meteorologist at KCPQ, recently shared a TikTok video, highlighting an email she received that politely yet firmly requested her to "kindly refrain from wearing form-fitting dresses until after the arrival of your bundle of joy."
The email, penned by a viewer named Kathy, went further to state, "Your burgeoning bump has grown so pronounced that it detracts from your otherwise excellent presentation. Opting for something loose and flowing would be far more becoming." The message then showered Anderson with praise for her "stellar television presentations," asserting that she deserves the "undivided attention of the viewers" sans any distractions.
In her candid TikTok response, Anderson stated, "Here's the gist, Kathy. I appreciate your concern, but let's recall the golden rule: we should never pass judgment on a woman's attire or appearance—least of all when she's expecting."
This isn't the first time Anderson has faced harsh scrutiny over her physical appearance as an on-camera meteorologist. Speaking exclusively to TODAY.com, Anderson elaborated that her role diverges significantly from that of a broadcast news anchor, as her entire physique is visible during her segments.
"Ideally, you want viewers' eyes on the weather map, but inevitably, they get drawn to your body. Regrettably, that's just part and parcel of the job," she sighed. "But that doesn't ease the burden."
Anderson admitted to initial hesitations about announcing her pregnancy to her Seattle-based audience, fearing a similar backlash. However, once she did share the news, she was overwhelmed with an "outpouring of support."
"For every 99 percent of joy and positivity, there's always that lone voice with something negative to say," Anderson lamented. "And, sadly, those comments tend to linger in one's mind."
When Anderson chose her attire for the video—a creamy, form-fitting knee-length dress adorned with a high neck and sleeves—she asserts that she gave no thought to it being offensive to the viewers. In fact, she boasted about feeling absolutely fabulous in her outfit that day, until an email shattered her confidence. "I returned to find that email, and my initial reaction was, 'Oh no, seriously? This is ridiculous,'" she recounts her dismay upon reading the message.
The email, merely one among the numerous that Anderson claims to have received, did not come as a shock to her. Instead, she confided in a few friends about her disappointment, who urged her to voice her feelings online. Ultimately, Anderson decided to create a video to address the issue of "women supporting women."
"It's 2024, a time where women are supposed to uphold and empower each other, yet we still encounter the most venomous emails from fellow women," she laments, adding that the majority of the critical emails she receives regarding her appearance originate from older women. "My message was simply this: 'Ladies, remember, we live in a world, at a time and place, where we shouldn't be commenting on someone's body unless you genuinely think it looks stunning. Unless someone seeks your opinion on their appearance, we have no need to offer one.'"
The meteorologist notes that society already imposes significant pressure on women to conform to certain appearances, but pregnancy adds an entirely new dimension of self-criticism. "In today's world, where fertility and pregnancy are openly discussed," Anderson remarks, "we often don't consider the personal journey behind these milestones. How long did it take to conceive? How emotionally and physically challenging was it? Are you enjoying a smooth pregnancy, or are you facing difficulties?"
Anderson's video garnered supportive comments. One viewer enthused, "You look incredible and are setting a fantastic example for other working women that you can successfully juggle both a career and a family! Keep shining!" Another exclaimed, "Rock that pregnancy! You're stunning!"
Anderson acknowledges that older generations may hold more outdated views on maternity fashion compared to contemporary standards. However, she firmly adds, "I won't alter my identity just because I'm pregnant and nurturing a new life."
"We live in an era where we can be healthy, have children, and maintain full-time careers. We are professional women who can also be sexy and look our best," she asserts. "Pregnancy doesn't necessitate frumpy attire anymore."
