Irish singer-songwriter CMAT has spoken candidly about the body-shaming abuse she faced online following her appearance at the recent Radio 1 Big Weekend, describing the experience as deeply upsetting.

The artist, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, shared her feelings in an Instagram post after performing on the festival’s main stage in Sunderland. She appeared ahead of headliner Olivia Dean and later revealed that the days following the event had been particularly difficult due to comments targeting her appearance and weight.

CMAT said she felt compelled to address the criticism publicly, explaining that she wanted to speak for herself rather than allow others to define the conversation. In her statement, she expressed frustration at having to repeatedly respond to comments about her body, noting that the issue has continued and intensified as her public profile has grown.

The singer emphasized that her appearance is not a deliberate statement or artistic choice, but simply a reflection of her natural body. She criticized the persistent focus on her weight, describing it as exhausting and unnecessary.

This is not the first time CMAT has addressed online body-shaming. In 2024, she spoke about similar experiences after performing at Radio 1 Big Weekend in Luton. At the time, comments on a BBC video of her performance were reportedly disabled following negative remarks about her appearance.

In her latest message, CMAT highlighted the emotional toll that repeated criticism can have on public figures. She said she would prefer not to keep discussing the issue but feels unable to ignore it because of the frequency and intensity of the abuse.

The singer’s comments have sparked support from fans and fellow musicians, many of whom praised her for speaking openly about body image and online harassment. The discussion has also reignited broader conversations about the treatment of women in the music industry and the scrutiny artists often face regarding their appearance rather than their work.

As CMAT’s popularity continues to rise, her response has drawn attention to the challenges performers encounter in the age of social media, where public achievements can quickly become overshadowed by personal criticism.

Despite the negativity, the singer remains one of the most acclaimed voices in contemporary country-pop music, earning recognition for her songwriting, performances, and distinctive artistic style.