Lauren Jauregui, the Fifth Harmony singer, spoke openly about body image and the pressure women face to fit certain beauty standards. The 30-year-old singer and songwriter also opened up about living with PCOS and explained why she no longer lets online criticism affect how she feels about herself.
Lauren Jauregui pushes back against “twig” body standards while opening up about PCOS and body image
Speaking to E! News’ Keltie Knight at the 2026 MTV VMAs, Jauregui said, “Honestly, I feel like it’s punk as f–k to not be a twig right now, and that’s kind of where I’m at. I am a woman. I fluctuate like all women do.” She added, “I struggle with PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] as well, which not a lot of people like to talk about.”
She also emphasized that she feels confident in herself. “I think I’m beautiful. And I think that when you’re centered on something bigger than people’s opinion of you and like external validation, I really feel like my aura, my light comes from within. Like I’m still doing my thing, and I’m still a star.”
Meanwhile, Jauregui said years of public scrutiny have helped her develop a thicker skin. “I think I’ve grown and matured to a point where like the hatred doesn’t really phase me,” she said. She added, “I read the love, and I feel the love.”
That support has also extended to her music. Jauregui said fans have responded positively to her new song, “Everybody’s On Drugs,” which she released Sept. 16.
“It’s been amazing, honestly,” she said of the reaction. “I think that they’re really excited for this because I’m in my like alternative rock bag right now, and I think that people have been really wanting—my fans, especially, have been really wanting that for me.”
Jauregui added, “Because I’m a very honest songwriter, and I feel like the sound really lends to where I’m at lyrically and what I want to talk about and how I’m feeling.”
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
