'Have to be your own cheerleader': Katrina Kaif on social media hate and self-worth

Actor Katrina Kaif has spoken about the need to protect one’s self-worth from social media criticism, saying she refuses to let online narratives dictate her choices or hold her back. Her remarks come weeks after she faced body-shaming comments following her appearance at the Ambani residence for Ganpati puja.

Speaking at an event in London, Katrina addressed the importance of staying true to oneself despite the criticism and expectations that often come with being in the public eye. While she did not directly refer to the recent trolling, the actor shared how she deals with negative comments and why allowing them to influence personal decisions can be damaging.

Katrina Kaif on dealing with social media criticism

Katrina attended an event on Thursday to celebrate the first anniversary of her cosmetics brand, Kay By Katrina, in partnership with Space NK. During the event, she spoke about authenticity and the importance of not letting social media determine how one feels about oneself.

“I think we really need to be careful in letting the narrative on social media affect our self-worth. If we start trying to cater to all of them, I think that really hampers your ability to make choices for yourself. Personally, if every time I face critique or comments, I let that dictate my actions, I think I would have been paralysed with fear and unable to move ahead in my life,” she said.

Emphasising the importance of self-belief, Katrina later added, “There are times when the world is going to celebrate you and other times when you have to be your own biggest cheerleader.”

Actor connects self-acceptance to Kay Beauty's tagline

Katrina also explained how the idea of accepting oneself, regardless of changing circumstances, ties in with her brand's tagline, ‘It's kay to be you’.

“That's really the thinking behind Kay Beauty's tagline 'It's kay to be you'. That is, you accept yourself and are true to who you are in this moment. And that's going to change day to day and in different phases in your life. There are times when you are acing everything in life, and other times when you can't get anything right. There are times when you are looking and feeling the best version of yourself, and other times when you are on a journey to get there. I think it's good to wear it all lightly and not to take yourself too seriously,” she said.

Katrina faced body-shaming after Ganpati Puja appearance

The actor faced a wave of body-shaming remarks after attending the Ganpati Puja at the Ambani residence last month. Several social media users commented on her postpartum appearance, despite her having welcomed her son, Vihaan, in November 2025.

Many people came out in her support, calling out the criticism. Actors Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Sameera Reddy and Soundarya Rajinikanth were among those who rallied behind Katrina.

Her latest remarks underline the importance she places on self-acceptance and making personal choices without being dictated to by online criticism.