Australian fitness figure Sophie Guidolin faced a storm of online criticism after sharing a photo featuring her 15 year old son in a thong, yet she pushed back against the backlash
The post by Sophie Guidolin marked the 15th anniversary of her son Kai. In the image she is shown embracing a teenage boy who is wearing a swimsuit that includes thong style bottoms. The reaction across social media was swift and intense. Critics argued that the photo appeared inappropriate given the age of her son and suggested that Guidolin was inviting attention in a way that felt uncomfortable to her child. Some comments even implied a troubling dynamic between mother and son, which added to the controversy.
Guidolin responded with a public statement in which she defended her choices and stressed her approach to body positivity. She described the body as natural and emphasized that she consistently teaches her sons there is nothing to be ashamed of. In her words, when her sons see her in swimwear they think about everyday activities like sunbathing or heading to the beach rather than focusing on sexualized aspects of a woman’s body. This framing aimed to shift the narrative away from controversy toward a simpler, more routine image of family life.
To clarify the context, Guidolin added a caption explaining that wearing a bikini on a Gold Coast day is a normal part of life in the coastal city where she resides. She also published a follow up post articulating her stance more directly. She asked why anyone would prevent her from wearing a bikini in front of her sons, arguing that they have never sexualized her and that critics should consider why they interpret such images in a sexual way instead of viewing a mother with her child by the pool.
Meanwhile a separate note touched on the broader theme of public figures and family moments. The discussion extended beyond Guidolin and touched on how online audiences respond to images that mix parenting with personal style and body positivity. A related anecdote involved a daughter known for modeling a famous fashion campaign, illustrating how family members sometimes resonate with their parents’ public personas.