One meteorologist from Seattle, Washington, who is nearly eight months pregnant, has a message for viewers who feel the need to comment on her on-air clothing choices.
Claire Anderson, meteorologist for KCPQ, posted a TikTok video earlier this month, sharing an email she received, asking that she “please, PLEASE, pack away the form-fitting dresses until after the baby.”
“Your mommy bump has gotten so big that your overall appearance distracts from from your presentation,” the email, signed from a viewer named Kathy, continued. “Something loose and flowing would be best.”
The email then complimented Anderson for having some of the “best presentations on TV,” adding that she hence deserves the “undistracted attention of the viewers.”
In her TikTok video, Anderson responded: “Alright, here’s the thing, Kathy, I appreciate that but remember we’re never supposed to comment on what women wear and look like — especially when they’re pregnant.”
This wasn’t Anderson’s first experience with harsh critics to her physical appearance as an on-air meteorologist, though.
Speaking with TODAY.com, Anderson explains that her job differs from that of a broadcast news anchor because her whole body is on display as she presents her segment.
“You want people to be looking at the map, but they look at your body. And unfortunately, that is just part of the game,” she says. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
Anderson says she was initially “nervous” to share news of her pregnancy with viewers, despite broadcasting in her hometown of Seattle, for fear of similar comments. Once she did, however, she says the response was “so supportive.”
“For every 99% of happiness, there’s always going to be that one person that has something to say,” Anderson says. “And, unfortunately, those are the ones that stay (in your mind.)”
When Anderson picked her outfit that appeared in the video — a cream, fitted knee-length dress with a high neck and sleeves — she says she “didn’t think anything of” it being offensive to viewers. In fact, she said she was “feeling great” about how she looked that day until she received that email.
“I come back, and I see that email, and I was like, ‘Oh man. Like, really? Bad stuff,” she says of her reaction to the message.
The email, which is just one of many Anderson says she’s received, didn’t shock her, though. Instead, Anderson says she shared her disappointment with some friends, who encouraged her to respond online.
Anderson says she ultimately decided to make a video so that the conversation around “women supporting women” would be addressed.
“It’s 2024, women support women, yet we still have the nastiest emails from women,” she says, adding that the majority of critical emails she receives regarding her appearance have come from older women.
“My message was just like, ‘Guys, remember, we are in a time, in place, in the world, where we don’t need to be commenting on someone’s body unless you think it looks amazing,” Anderson says. “Unless someone asks you how they look, we don’t need to be commenting.”
The meteorologist says that as women, society puts enough pressure to look a certain way, but being pregnant is a whole additional layer to self-criticism.
“Especially in this day and age, fertility and being pregnant — people are open about it,” Anderson says. “We don’t know how long did it take to get pregnant? How hard was it? Was it emotional? Was it hard for you? Are you having a good pregnancy? Are you having a hard time?”
Anderson did have supportive comments on her video. One said, “I think you look amazing and are setting a wonderful example for other women in the workplace that you can have BOTH a career and a family!! Keep killing it”
Another said: “Keep slaying pregnancy! You look amazing!”
Anderson says she understands that some older generations have a more archaic view of maternity clothing compared to modern day. But she adds “I’m not changing who I am just because I’m pregnant and growing a child.”
