The advent of social media has majorly impacted how we talk about celebrities and body image as well. "Twenty years ago, it was the media that was solely responsible for this, and now social media has enabled ordinary people to pile on to comment on women's bodies," says Alaimo.                          

At the same time, it's a space where "audiences have more control," says McDonnell. "I think some social media commentary tends to be very positive and supportive, moving away from body shaming and very much toward celebrating women of all sizes. But then some of it, of course, also tends to be [negative]."

She adds, "Online people are anonymous, and their worst instincts can come out, which is where we can see some of these really harsh comments being hurled around."

There is wider awareness today, though, that there's no one-size-fits-all "perfect body"—even for the stars. As Bruner says, there might not be "a straight-line evolution or progress" of media coverage from 1997 to present day, but there are "positive things" happening now.

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