Wellness influencer Liv Schmidt has sparked debate after TikTok banned her account. Critics called her weight loss advice “dangerous.”
Known for “Skinny Girl Essentials” and “What I Eat in a Day,” Schmidt had nearly 700,000 followers. Then, her account was shut down for violating guidelines.
In a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal on September 16, Schmidt stood by her content. She likes to be “skinny” and believes there is “nothing wrong with that.””
Addressing the controversy, Schmidt said, “Weight is a touchy topic, but that’s what the viewers want.”
She insisted that her success stemmed from her honesty about the hard work required to maintain her appearance, noting, “A lot of people want to know what people eat. I’m honest about how it is hard work.”
Schmidt’s critics claimed she glamorized disordered eating. She defended her approach, saying, “I don’t have any food off-limits.” I’m not dairy-free.I’m not vegan.I’m not gluten-free. I’m not a health freak.”
Critics Label Schmidt’s Advice “Harmful” and “Sickening”
Liv Schmidt’s videos featured links to supplements and her $9.99 monthly chat. This sparked backlash from health experts and viewers.
Many dietitians and social media users accused her of promoting unhealthy behavior. Some even called her content “sickening” for glamorizing restrictive eating.
“There’s something so deeply sinister about a ‘regular’ influencer posting food like this and pretending like it’s normal,” one Reddit user commented.
Others expressed concern for the young audience exposed to her content, with one person stating, “Young girls have and will continue to die due to sh*t like this being peddled on the internet.”
Despite the growing criticism, Schmidt remains firm in her belief that she is helping others. She told The Wall Street Journal, “I’m trying to build a genuine thing… We all have the option to follow or block any content we want.”
@notlivsschmidt I haven been back
♬ She's Back – Sexyy Red
Schmidt’s Personal Struggles Inspired Her Content
Much of Liv Schmidt’s wellness journey stems from her own experiences with body image issues. She admitted to struggling with body dysmorphia in the past.
These challenges inspired her to share her weight loss tips with her followers. “If you look around and every single person around you is blonde and skinny, you’re gonna definitely feel more peer pressure to fit into that stereotype,” she explained.
In one of her last TikTok videos before the ban, Schmidt addressed her followers. She said, “Habits are a slay because they’re how I lost my weight successfully, healthy, all of the above.” My bloodwork is amazing. I feel amazing.”
She attributed her success to cutting fats and simplifying her diet. But, many experts argue that it encourages restrictive eating.
Schmidt Takes to Other Platforms to Continue Her Message
Though her main TikTok account is shut down, Liv Schmidt has continued to share her wellness tips on YouTube, Instagram, and a “burner” TikTok account.
Despite the setback, she remains unfazed by the ban, chalking it up to censorship. When asked why her account was removed, Schmidt replied, “Idk so much for freedom of speech tbh.”
The influencer continues to engage with her dedicated fanbase, many of whom defend her against critics. However, the controversy surrounding her message remains at the forefront of online discourse.
Schmidt has made it clear that she will not back down, asserting that her content is meant to help those who aspire to her “personal aesthetic.”
