How the Diet Culture Parody Sketches of a High School Teacher Became an Internet Sensation

  • Charlotte Grimmer, a teacher and comedian, uses comedy sketches on TikTok to satirize and critique diet culture.
  • As someone in recovery from an eating disorder, Grimmer aims to challenge damaging narratives surrounding food and body image.
  • Her videos often go viral, and she hopes they provide support and guidance for people facing challenging situations.

Charlotte Grimmer, a 30-year-old teacher and comedian from Sydney, Australia, decided to free herself from the grip of diet culture after her recovery from an eating disorder in 2020.

However, while using TikTok during Australia’s second lockdown in 2021, she found herself inundated with diet-related content due to the algorithm. Frustrated by this, Grimmer, who teaches high school dance and drama, decided to use her platform to challenge and mock these damaging messages.

Grimmer, who has performed at prestigious comedy festivals, leverages her comedic skills to satirize diet culture and shed light on the experiences of those with eating disorders. Her videos on TikTok have gained a substantial following of 137,000 users, with millions of views for her mocking portrayal of common diet-related themes.

Grimmer’s comedy arises from her realization of the harm caused by discussions around dieting

Grimmer, a recent graduate of Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art, began uploading videos to TikTok to share her experiences with eating disorder recovery and highlight the negative impact of well-intentioned comments made by others.

She aims to challenge judgmental comments about food choices that suggest a “right” or “wrong” way to eat, which she believes are rooted in harmful beliefs disguised as harmless remarks. Grimmer’s goal is to offer a different perspective to the world, drawing on her own learnings from recovery.

One of Grimmer’s sketches that gained viral attention is the “Diet Culture Mom.” In this video, a mother character humorously announces to her children that they will be eating from comically small plates for the rest of their lives in an attempt to watch their figures. The absurdity of the situation highlights the unhealthy nature of diet culture.

Grimmer shared that this sketch was inspired by a real event involving her parents, who genuinely decided to eat from smaller plates for portion control. The relatability and popularity of the video validated Grimmer’s perspective and encouraged her to continue creating and educating.

Social-media trends surrounding food also inspire Grimmer’s content

Grimmer notes that while TikTok can be an excellent educational platform, many influencers unknowingly promote harmful diet culture through recipes and recommendations.

She critiques the trend of substituting ingredients in food to create “healthier” alternatives, which may leave some individuals dissatisfied and craving the original versions. Grimmer’s satirical sketch titled “Healthy Mint Slice” showcases the absurdity of creating a mint-flavored cookie using mashed broccoli and a peppermint teabag, challenging the notion of healthy food substitutes.

Despite the comedic nature of her videos, Grimmer clarifies that her intention is not to mock individuals with eating disorders. While she does receive criticism from some viewers, she focuses on the positive impact she has on others who find comfort and laughter in her sketches.

Grimmer ensures that her content aligns with her role as an educator and considers whether she would be comfortable with her students seeing her videos. She believes in the power of laughter as a coping mechanism for challenging issues, reflecting on her own growth and transformation from her prior struggles with diet culture.

Reference

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