Jason Ritter Gives Online Trolls A Dressing Down Over Body-Shaming Attacks Against Wife Melanie Lynskey

Aug 15, 2023

Melanie Lynskey is one of the most talented character actresses in Hollywood. The native New Zealander is well-known for portraying complex women characters and has a good grasp and command of various American dialects. 

Although she has worked predominantly in independent films, Lynskey is a force to be reckoned with in the acting department. She is a recipient of a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, a Sundance Special Jury Award, an HCA Award, a Gracie Award, and even two Critics’ Choice Awards. 

She has also earned nominations from the Satellite, Gotham, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen Actors Guild, and also a prestigious Primetime Emmy nomination.

She is known for her series like “Mrs. America,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Castle Rock,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Flags of Our Fathers,” and “Up in the Air,” among many others. Lynskey has also starred in films such as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,” “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore,” and the star-studded film “Don’t Look Up.”

In January 2023, Lynskey starred in the highly anticipated apocalyptic thriller show, “The Last of Us.” Lynskey portrayed a wholly new character who was not initially part of the video game the series was based on. 

According to Entertainment Weekly, Lynskey played Kathleen Coghlan, a fierce leader of a revolutionary movement based in Kansas City, who was described as “a revolutionary who becomes terroristic due to cruel circumstances.”

Lynskey’s portrayal was well-received by many. However, others appeared more concerned about how she looked and body-shamed her. The strong, independent actress, however, was having none of it, and neither was her husband.

In 2017, Lynskey got engaged to Emmy-nominated actor Jason Ritter. Three years later, they tied the knot after having their first child in 2018. The couple did not have a big ceremony for their wedding, though, as they had to rush to get married.

Speaking with SiriusXM, Lynskey said she panicked after someone told her Ritter wouldn’t be allowed in Canada, where she was going to film “Yellowjackets” for six months, since they were not married. This was around the time of the strict quarantine and travel restrictions. The person had said, “Jason won’t be able to get into Canada unless you’re married — which just wasn’t true.”

Lynskey continued, “And I was like, ‘We have a child. What? I can’t leave for six months.’ So, I was like, ‘We have to get married tomorrow.’”

So, before leaving Atlanta in 2020, Lynskey and Ritter held a spontaneous wedding on their front porch with only a few friends as witnesses, along with the wedding officiant. 

“It was actually a very fun wedding day, but it didn’t need to happen. He could totally have gotten into Canada.”

Over the years, Lynskey has faced criticism about the way she looks. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Lynskey talked about a difficult time she had on the set of “Coyote Ugly.”

“All the girls had this regimen they had to go on,” she explained. “It was ridiculous. I was already starving myself and as thin as I could possibly be for this body, and I was still a (size) four.”

She continued, “That was already people putting a lot of Spanx on me in wardrobe fittings and being very disappointed when they saw me, the costume designer being like, ‘Nobody told me there would be girls like you.’ Really intense feedback about my physicality, my body…”

Ritter and Lynskey have shown that they make a great team, and the loving husband is always there to defend his wife when needed.

In January 2022, Lynskey spoke out on social media about the body-shaming she has experienced since the show “Yellowjackets,” on which she plays Shauna, began airing. 

“The story of my life since ‘Yellowjackets’ premiered. Most egregious are the ‘I care about her health!!’ people … you don’t see me on my Peleton! You don’t see me running through the park with my child. Skinny does not always equal healthy,” she wrote. 

The actress didn’t only experience this behavior online. She also had to deal with body shaming on set.

“They were asking me, ‘What do you plan to do? I’m sure the producers will get you a trainer. They’d love to help you with this,” Lynskey told Rolling Stone. 

Ritter saw the rude comments his wife was getting online and jumped to her defense. 

“If anyone has any further unsolicited comments about *anybody* else’s body, they can feel free to write them in permanent ink onto their own foreheads and swan dive directly into the sun,” he posted. 

Yet again, Lynskey faced the same criticisms and backlash she had on her previous shows when she appeared as Coghlan on the HBO show “The Last of Us.” Lynskey is forced to confront the beauty standards that have caged her since.  

Former “America's Next Top Model” winner, Adrianne Curry, took to Twitter and shamed Lynskey for how her body doesn’t fit the character, which prompted the actress to fight back in defense. 

“Her body says life of luxury.. not a post-apocalyptic warlord. where is linda hamilton when you need her?” Curry posted, replying to a photo of Lynskey in her InStyle magazine photoshoot. 

In response, Lynskey clarified that the photo was from a cover she had with the said magazine and not from the actual show. 

“And I’m playing a person who meticulously planned & executed an overthrow of FEDRA. I am supposed to be SMART, ma’am. I don’t need to be muscly. That’s what henchmen are for,” Lynskey continued. 

As if her perfect response wasn’t enough, Lynskey put out a thread explaining her character Kathleen. 

“Other than getting to work with creative geniuses who I respect and admire (Neil & Craig) the thing that excited me most about doing #TheLastOfUs is that my casting suggested the possibility of a future in which people start listening to the person with the best ideas. Not the coolest or the toughest person. The organiser. The person who knows where everything is. The person who is doing the planning. The person who can multitask. The one who’s decisive,” she wrote. 

Fans have showered Lynskey with love and support, overshadowing Curry’s body-shaming comment. 

“You and your character are awesome! I love The Last of Us and love it even more because of your Kathleen. Such a dynamic and interesting role that you portray perfectly!” a fan said. 

“That person takes being wrong to a whole new level; you, however are destroying worlds in that dress!” another posted.

Since then, Curry’s post has since been deleted, and her account on X, formerly known as Twitter, has been deactivated.

Meanwhile, Ritter again jumped to his beloved wife’s defense after Curry's insensitive and unsolicited tweet. In response, he posted a sarcastic social media post imploring her not to take the backlash she is receiving as a lesson.

“You… you could have just… not tweeted it. But you did, and people are upset with what you said. Whatever happens now, DO NOT LEARN ANYTHING FROM THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!! Dig your heels in deeper, and double down! BECOME the victim! You can do this!! I believe in you!!” Ritter shared.

His response not only earned millions of views and thousands of likes but garnered praise from many fans who lauded him for being such a protective and loving husband.

“I'm gonna find me a husband who does THIS! … I am super impressed by the courage and warmth and love this man has for his wife and how he's not afraid to show it. Makes me feel happy!” one user wrote.

Another said: “Everyone should have a you in their corner. You’re amazing. Thanks for showing us all what we should be seeking in a partner!”

“This made me smile. I hope everyone has a significant other like Jason. What a response,” another comment read.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Lynskey got choked up as she talked about how supportive her husband has been. “I honestly feel like I won the lottery. I have the greatest husband. He’s such a good dad. He loves me. He makes me feel beautiful no matter what. He’s a good, good person and he’s so cute.”

It’s an absolute blessing for anyone to have such a strong and supportive partner, and we’re sure Lynskey is super appreciative of the fact that she can lean on her husband in difficult times.

How do you feel about the way Jason Ritter has defended his wife? Would your partner do the same in a similar situation? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other people you think would know how to handle the situation.