Sam Faiers faces criticism after fans accuse her of looking drastically different to her social media pics
She’s spoken about “keeping it real” since welcoming kids Paul, three, and Rosie, one, with partner Paul Knightley, wowing on her Instagram last week with a snap of her bikini body.
But, hours later, Sam Faiers was accused of “deceiving” fans when new photos of her in Majorca emerged online.
One wrote, “Her figure is lovely but that Instagram post is incredibly deceiving. She looks nothing like that. This is the reason young women are so insecure. Instagram should be putting laws on this stuff.”
Another commented, “People need to stop giving an unrealistic view of themselves. A bit of good lighting and good angles is normal. Cropping off half your body and changing your figure is not.”
And a third critic added, “She edits her pics so much that when she actually gets papped (not set up) she looks so different... Why does she need to edit to an unrealistic shape and size when she looks so good naturally!”
Now pals say Sam has been left upset by the online reaction. A source reveals, “Sam was shocked when she saw the comments. The last thing she meant to do was deceive people or set any kind of bad example. Like all women, she likes to put nice photos on her social media, and she insisted to friends that she knows her best angles.
“She maintains no one is going to look the same in a photo when they’re caught off-guard to how they do in a posed photo.”
Check out: axed TOWIE stars - where are they now?
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Harry Derbridge, series 1- 3 and 12
Harry Derbridge was a Towie original and still holds a very special place in our hearts. He made a welcome return to the show as Bobby Norris's love interest but, allegedly, cheated on him.
Harry Derbridge, 2018
Harry now works it as a make-up artist. Is it us, or does he look like he might have had a little help with lip fillers?
Maria Fowler, series 1 - 3
Maria, on the left with Joey Essex and Chloe Sims in 2011, was in the show from the get-go but her TV career was rocked when it was alleged she'd worked as an escort. She's since said she quit 'by mutual consent' after she refused an on-screen romance with Mick Norcross.
Maria Fowler, 2018
Maria's now a proud mummy, engaged to be married and a self-proclaimed permanent make-up artist.
Dan Osborne, series 8 - 14
Dan Osborne, pictured here with James Argent in 2013, managed seven series on the show. He was given the boot after a series of recordings, claiming to show Dan being verbally abusive towards his ex-girlfriend Megan Tomlin, came to light.
Dan Osborne, 2018
Dan is still in the spotlight due to his relationship with ex-EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa. In May 2018 he described their marriage as "unhappy".
Amber Dowding, series 18 - 21
Amber was part of a mega cull of seven Towie characters in January 2018. She claimed that she and her boyfriend Chris Clark were cut because they were happy. They've now split and Chris has reappeared on the show.
Amber Dowding, 2018
If Amber's social media is anything to go by, she now appears to mostly be on holiday. Pretty goals from where we're sitting.
Mike Hassini, series 16 - 18 and 21
Mike Hassini brought a hot bod to Towie and...not much else. He was cut in January 2018 due to a lack of storylines as he was loved-up outside the telly show.
Mike Hassini, 2018
Mike is working as a PT, still loved-up, and still has a very hot bod. He has subsequently appeared briefly in gym scenes on the show.
Jack Rigden, series 20 - 21
Jack Rigden tried hard, so hard, to make an impression on Towie but his lack of on-screen romance and agg saw him get very little camera time. He was part of the big cull of January 2018.
Jack Rigden, 2018
Jack's Instagram bio describes him as an "absolute geezer". Which is nice.
Jordan Brook, series 20 - 21
Jordan and Jack were brought in as friends of Megan McKenna. When she quit, they were left without any storylines.
Jordan Brooks, 2018
Jordan is now dating Sofia Filipe of Ex On The Beach fame. Aww.
Ricky Rayment, series 4 - 14
We still think very fondly of Ricky. His rocky relationship with Jess Wright was a huge part of the show but when they finally broke up, well... Ricky left the show "by mutual agreement"with Towie bosses.
Ricky Rayment, 2018
Ricky now seems to mainly go fishing.
Tom Pearce, series 5 - 13
Remember when Tom Pearce dated Lauren Goodger following her split from Mark Wright? That was an odd time. He was quietly shown the back doorof the show in 2014.
Tom Pearce, 2018
Honestly? We're not 100% sure what Tom is actually doing these days. He used to work in the City, and his holidays certainly look pretty epic, so maybe that.
Grace Andrews, series 11 - 12
Grace almost had a romantic relationship with Lewis Bloor (shudder) and that was the beginning and end of her time on Towie.
Grace Andrews, 2018
Grace is now involved in a semi-permanent make-up company. Those Towie stars must really hate cleanser.
Fran Parman, series 11 - 16
Fran's original romantic interest was Tom Pearce but he stepped aside to allow Diags to woo her. Bad luck. Their relationship was turbulent but apparently not turbulent enough for show producers. Diags stayed, she went.
Fran Parman, 2018
Fran and Diags split and she now hangs out in clothing that does not look very practical.
Jasmin Walia, series 1 and 7-17
Jasmin managed eight series until she was given the boot. In 2015 her agent stated: "TOWIE is very storyline dependent and Jasmin did not have much going on that we could show on screen."Ouch. She went on to audition for The X Factor. It did not go well. She also took part in reality show Desi Rascals, that lasted for one series.
Jasmin Walia, 2018
Jasmin is still being papped, which is more than can be said for some of the other ex-Towie stars.
Jake Hall, series 14 - 17
Jake's time of TOWIE was mainly characterised by him being mean to our sweet Essex princess Chloe Lewis including many accusations of infidelity, plus rumours he'd slept with Megan McKenna.
Jake Hall, 2018
Jake subsequently became engaged to former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri. They have a baby together but in December 2018Jake was given a restraining order following a bust up with his fiancée.
Opening up on the pressures to look good, Sam, 28, told Closer earlier this year, “You have to keep it real – we glam up and I’ll get comments like, ‘This isn’t realistic, always being so glam.’ But we [Sam and her sister Billie, 29] don’t glam up all the time at all – we’ve both got small children!”
And discussing the negativity she can receive on social media, Sam revealed, “Twitter is the worst. I just get criticised for everything I do. For example, what my baby is wearing. I get criticised for weaning and feeding, too.”
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The insider adds, “Sometimes, Sam feels she can’t do right for doing wrong. She’s been in the spotlight for years now so she’s used to criticism, but it still throws her.
“She’s a doting mum and, when she’s on holiday, she likes to relax her diet, enjoy nice food and play with her kids. She doesn’t want to be fussed about how she looks in a bikini.
“Sam is proud of her curves and her body because it gave her two beautiful kids. She’s insisted she’s not trying to hide anything from her fans.”
Read even more celeb news in this week's Closer - on sale now.