Olivia Culpo is once again at the center of controversy. The model and former Miss Universe announced her pregnancy on March 10, 2025, via her official Instagram account with a post titled “next chapter, motherhood”, accompanied by a series of black-and-white photographs. What was meant to be an emotional moment quickly turned into yet another online firestorm.
In the video that went viral within hours, Culpo is seen showing off her figure in a bikini before revealing she’s expecting a baby. While she was praised for the creativity and tenderness of the announcement, that didn’t shield her from heavy criticism. Many users accused her of reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards during pregnancy, claiming her post sent the wrong message about what a mother-to-be “should” look like. Her post reignited the ongoing debate about body standards on social media and the pressure many women face during natural life processes such as motherhood.
Beyond Pregnancy
This isn’t the first time Olivia Culpo has sparked polarized reactions. Back in June 2024, her wedding to NFL player Christian McCaffrey also stirred conversation. Though she stated she wanted to portray a conservative, simple, and elegant image, her fashion choices weren’t universally embraced.
For the ceremony, she wore a long-sleeved gown by Dolce & Gabbana with no plunging necklines or sheer panels a clear attempt to distance herself from anything overly sexualized. However, for the reception, she changed into a silk bodysuit paired with a sheer mini skirt adorned with floral appliqués, which drew criticism for allegedly contradicting her earlier messaging. Still, many defended her with a simple yet powerful argument: it was her wedding, and she had every right to dress however she wanted.
Even her Miss Universe crown, which she won in 2012, hasn’t escaped scrutiny. During that time, the pageant was owned by Donald Trump, and although no concrete evidence of wrongdoing has surfaced, some have questioned the impartiality of her win especially after photos emerged of Culpo walking alongside the former president in New York shortly after her victory.
In the end, Olivia Culpo seems destined to divide public opinion no matter how carefully curated or boldly provocative her image might be. So, is the real issue her? Or is it that she refuses to conform to just one version of what a public woman “should” be? In a world where image is everything, the line is always blurry and the ground feels a lot like quicksand.
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