If you’ve spent any time on YouTube over the last fifteen years, you’ve probably seen the cycle. Shane Dawson posts a video, the internet dissects his face, his hair, and inevitably, his body. People type "Shane Dawson is fat" into search bars like they’re uncovering a government secret, but honestly? It’s a conversation Shane has been having with himself—and us—since he was a teenager in Long Beach.
He isn't just a guy who fluctuates in weight. He’s someone whose entire career has been a public battle with body dysmorphia.
Why the Internet Thinks Shane Dawson is Fat
The "Shane Dawson is fat" narrative usually hits a fever pitch whenever he returns from a long hiatus. You know the drill. He disappears for six months, comes back with a docuseries, and the comment sections turn into a firing squad.
In 2020, during his massive "cancellation" and subsequent move to Colorado, the talk started again. People pointed to his softer jawline or his oversized hoodies as "evidence." But that's the thing about Shane. He has spent his life losing and gaining the same 50 to 100 pounds. It’s a rollercoaster. He lost 150 pounds when he was 18—an incredible feat—but the mental scars from being a "heavy kid" never really faded.
He’s been open about this. Like, painfully open.
In his book I Hate Myselfie, he talks about having a "punchable body." He literally wrote that he doesn't want people to see his body because he’s so insecure. That’s not just "Internet drama." That’s a deep-seated struggle with self-image that most people would crumble under if they had millions of eyes on them.
The Reality of Body Dysmorphia
Shane has admitted to struggling with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). If you aren't familiar, BDD isn't just "not liking how you look." It’s a mental health condition where you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance.
For Shane, even when he was at his thinnest during the "Superluv!" era, he still felt like that kid who was bullied in high school. He once tweeted that he genuinely thought he was fat during times when he was actually quite lean.
It’s a mind game.
When people comment on his weight gain, they aren't just "observing." They’re feeding into a cycle of shame that he’s been trying to break for decades. Honestly, it’s kinda heartbreaking when you look at the timeline. He works at Jenny Craig, gets fired for a joke video, becomes a superstar, and yet still feels like he needs to hide under a blanket.
The Physical and Mental Toll of Public Scrutiny
Let's talk about 2024 and 2025. Shane and his husband, Ryland Adams, welcomed twin boys via surrogacy. Fatherhood changes people.
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Suddenly, the "Shane Dawson is fat" comments aren't just hitting a solo creator; they’re hitting a dad who’s just trying to survive the newborn phase. We’ve seen him in Ryland’s vlogs looking tired, wearing baggy clothes, and just generally looking like a parent.
Is he "fat" by Hollywood standards? Maybe. But is he healthy? That's a different question entirely.
What Shane Has Said Recently
He hasn't ignored the noise. On his podcast, The Shane Dawson Podcast, he’s touched on how moving to Colorado and stepping away from the "LA lifestyle" helped his mental health, but the body image stuff is always there. It’s like a shadow.
- He admits to emotional eating. When things get stressful (like getting canceled by the entire internet), he turns to food. Most of us do.
- He’s wary of "fit" culture. He’s seen the dark side of it, especially after filming with people like Eugenia Cooney and seeing how toxic the obsession with thinness can become.
- He’s focusing on his kids. He’s mentioned wanting to be "around" for them, which usually means a shift toward health rather than just "looking skinny."
The "Fat Shaming" Culture on YouTube
YouTube is a brutal place. We saw it with Nikocado Avocado (who shocked everyone with his weight loss) and we see it with Shane. The audience feels entitled to a creator's body.
When Shane gain weight, people call him lazy. When he loses it, they ask if he’s on Ozempic. There is no winning.
The "Shane Dawson is fat" search term is a symptom of how we treat creators as objects rather than people. We’ve watched him grow up on screen. We watched him go from sketch comedy to conspiracy theories to docuseries. We’ve seen him at his highest highs and his lowest lows.
Nuance Matters
It is important to acknowledge that Shane isn't a perfect figure. He’s had major controversies. But conflating his past mistakes with his physical weight is a weird trend in "cancel culture." It’s like people think fat-shaming is an acceptable weapon if the target has done something wrong.
That’s a slippery slope.
His weight fluctuations are a human response to extreme pressure, trauma, and a lifelong battle with an eating disorder. Bulimia and binge eating aren't things you just "fix" and move on from. They are managed daily.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for the Audience
If you're someone who has searched for "Shane Dawson is fat" or you're struggling with your own body image, there are actual steps you can take to change the narrative in your own head.
- Understand that weight is not a moral failing. Being "fat" or "thin" doesn't make you a better or worse person. This is something Shane has struggled to learn, but it’s the truth.
- Recognize the signs of Body Dysmorphia. If you find yourself obsessing over "flaws" like Shane does, it might be time to talk to a professional.
- Curate your feed. If watching certain creators makes you feel bad about your body, hit the unfollow button. Even if it's Shane.
- Practice neutral body talk. Instead of saying "I look fat" or "I look great," try "My body is tired today" or "My body is getting me through this walk."
Shane Dawson's journey with his weight is far from over. He’ll likely continue to change, as we all do. But the next time you see a thumbnail claiming "Shane Dawson is fat," remember the human on the other side of the lens who is just trying to navigate being a dad, a husband, and a person with a very loud inner critic.
Focus on your own health and mental well-being rather than the numbers on a celebrity's scale.
Next Steps for Your Own Health Journey:
- Reflect on your media consumption: Take ten minutes to look at the last five videos you watched. Did they make you feel empowered or judgmental?
- Seek Support: If you relate to Shane's struggles with body image, reach out to organizations like NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) for resources and guidance.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Start a daily habit of naming one thing your body did for you today that had nothing to do with how it looks.