Pop singer Tiffany, known for her 1980s hit "I Think We're Alone Now," has become the target of body-shaming comments online after a recent performance. The 54-year-old artist, whose real name is Tiffany Darwish, addressed the criticism, revealing that her weight fluctuations are linked to her ongoing battle with long COVID.
During a performance at the Garden Amphitheatre in California, Tiffany appeared on stage wearing an oversized black shirt over a leotard, fishnet stockings, and ankle boots. A clip of the concert gained significant attention on social media, but it also drew negative remarks from some users who commented on her perceived weight gain.
Many fans defended the singer, with one commenter stating, "She is beautiful, still sounds great and is having fun! Nobody looks like they did in Playboy 30 years ago." Another supporter wrote, "She looks happy, sounds good and is having a blast! YES older women are allowed to exist and thrive."
Tiffany has been open about her health struggles, previously telling The Mirror that long COVID has caused her weight to fluctuate. "I have fluctuated with my weight quite a bit in the last couple of years because of long Covid and I'm learning to deal with that," she explained. "Some days I just battle feeling well enough to go and work out, which is not the norm for me."
She also noted that the demands of touring and constant travel have aggravated her symptoms, leading to water retention. Dealing with online trolls has been a challenge, Tiffany admitted, stating, "I have a limit and it gives me great pleasure to delete them. Goodbye. Why bother to be so toxic?"
Last year, in an interview with The Guardian, Tiffany discussed her body image and weight issues. "I’m probably more body-conscious now than I was back then. My weight yo-yos a lot, and my lifestyle doesn’t make it any better – I am a huge foodie," she said. "Over the years I’ve tried everything and it’s not sustainable, so I am trying to come to terms with the fact that it’s not about size, it’s about how you feel."
Tiffany first achieved widespread fame in 1987 with her cover of "I Think We're Alone Now." Her self-titled debut album also topped the charts, making her the youngest female artist to have a No. 1 album. She later had another hit with "Could've Been" but her subsequent album did not reach the same commercial success. After a period out of the spotlight in the 1990s, Tiffany re-emerged in the 2000s, participating in reality shows and low-budget films, and posing for Playboy magazine in 2002.