Emily Ratajkowski recently found herself at odds with Australian comedian Celeste Barber after Barber recreated a sultry bikini photo of the model from two years ago. While the parody was well-executed, it was the accompanying caption that stirred controversy, with some social media users branding Barber a “misogynist.”
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Ratajkowski reportedly reached her limit when Barber mimicked her G-string photoshoot, captioning it: “We are sick of objectifying our bodies! Also, here’s my a*s.”
The post reignited discussions about body image, satire, and online boundaries.
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As a result, Ratajkowski decided to block Barber on Instagram. Addressing the situation on her High Low podcast, the model explained, “The whole drama with Celeste has been blown out of proportion.”
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This move comes after Ratajkowski has spoken extensively about the ways in which her image has been used for financial gain, a theme she explores in her book.
“In general, I find her really funny,” Ratajkowski admitted on the podcast. “But the message I wanted to send was, ‘I just don’t want you to do this to me anymore.’ I wasn’t giving my consent for this joke, it just landed at a specific time for me.”
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Ratajkowski emphasized that she doesn’t hold a personal grudge against Barber but believes that ridiculing women for expressing themselves through their bodies is rooted in misogyny.
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“We love to pick on female influencers,” she continued. “They’re considered the lamest, most cringe, most embarrassing people on the planet. But I find that to be fundamentally sexist. Women want to be influencers because it’s one of the ways they’ve learned to be successful and make money. They’re hustling.”
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Despite criticism for her parodies of Ratajkowski’s photos, Barber remains unapologetic. In a January interview with Marie Claire, the Wellmania star addressed the backlash, saying, “I like running my mouth off. I do it a lot. I’m quick-witted, it’s one of my favorite things about me.”
She added, “Sometimes I censor myself, but other times I don’t give a f**k. I operate from a place of already being canceled. One day they hate what you do, the next day you’re the greatest thing in the world.”
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The clash between Ratajkowski and Barber has sparked wider discussions about satire, consent, and the fine line between humor and offense in today’s digital age.
