The adult-oriented animated sitcom Family Guy has gained a reputation for its willingness to cross boundaries, frequently presenting jokes that society considers inappropriate or offensive.
No individual, be it Kim Kardashian or Kenny Loggins, is exempt from being a target of Seth MacFarlane's unconventional humor.
Although many viewers may choose to overlook the show's frequently harsh jokes, there are individuals who can't help but be affected by the ridicule. Chloë Grace Moretz, the actress, has openly disclosed that a viral meme from Family Guy had such a profound impact on her that it led her to become socially withdrawn, and even now she struggles to move past the experience.
During an interview with Hunger magazine, the 26-year-old actress shared her experiences of dealing with paparazzi and living a public life, which she has been navigating for nearly two decades since her early involvement in the film industry. Her breakthrough role came in 2012 when she appeared in the superhero comedy Kick-Ass alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
Naturally, the discussion centered around her life as a child star and the challenges of growing up in the public eye, constantly observed by millions of people. Moretz recounted her initial encounter with paparazzi, describing how a group of 10 to 15 adult men surrounded a 12-year-old girl—herself—and the situation escalated into chaos when they pushed her mother, causing her to stumble into traffic. Fortunately, her mother was unharmed, but the incident left a lasting impact. "It was overwhelming, with the noise, chaos, and flashes. When I got into the car afterward, I couldn't hold back the tears," she recalled.
The actress also opened up about a hurtful Family Guy meme that mocked her appearance, admitting, "I've rarely discussed this, but there was one meme that really affected me. It depicted me entering a hotel while holding a pizza box. This image was manipulated to resemble a character from Family Guy, with elongated legs and a short torso. At that time, the meme spread extensively and reached a wide audience."
Chloë Grace Moretz: I suffered body dysmorphia after 'Family Guy' Meme https://t.co/9nZgi7qifh pic.twitter.com/6QiAjffEri
— New York Post (@nypost) September 29, 2022
he meme originated from a seemingly harmless paparazzi photo of the actress, who was attired in black shorts and heels while carrying two pizza boxes. However, the image underwent editing that distorted her proportions, resulting in an unusual appearance with an excessively short torso and disproportionately long legs.
She continued to share her experience, saying, "People were ridiculing my body, and when I expressed my feelings to someone, they simply brushed it off, telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and that it was just a joke. I vividly remember sitting there, realizing that my body was being used as a source of amusement, something inherent to me that I couldn't alter, and it was being spread all over Instagram."
The young actress, who has received accolades for her work, further revealed to the publication that the meme had a significant impact on her mental well-being. It stripped away a part of her that she used to enjoy, which was dressing up and confidently walking the red carpet. She also confessed to experiencing episodes of hyperventilation during photo shoots and ultimately withdrew from public life, becoming secluded.
