Model Dani Mathers has been charged by LAPD over a “body-shaming” image she took of an older woman in a gym locker room.
The picture of the 70-year-old was taken in LA Fitness in July without her consent and posted on social media.
Dani Mathers uploaded the photo to Snapchat alongside one of herself and the caption: “If I can’t unsee this then you can’t either”.
She faces a charge of invasion of privacy.
Dani Mathers, 29, could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
She apologized soon after uploading the image, saying she thought her Snapchat post had been a private conversation and acknowledging that “body-shaming” is wrong.
However, Dani Mathers’ lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, is quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying his client did nothing illegal, neither invading anyone’s privacy nor violating any laws.
Announcing the decision to charge the model, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer took aim at “body-shaming”, calling it “humiliating, with often painful, long-term consequences”.
He said: “It mocks and stigmatizes its victims, tearing down self-respect and perpetuating the harmful idea that our unique physical appearances should be compared to air-brushed notions of <<perfect>>.”
Dani Mathers has been permanently banned from the chain of gyms, lost her job on a radio show and has faced widespread criticism online.
