Keely Paige said she had an overcome an eating disorder, which was part of the reason she now promoted her body confidence. Photo / Facebook
Keely Paige said she had an overcome an eating disorder, which was part of the reason she now promoted her body confidence. Photo / Facebook
Music station George FM has issued a statement of apology and suspended two of its hosts after accusations they "slut-shamed" a 20-year-old woman live on air over her Instagram photos.
Breakfast hosts Kara Rickard and Thane Kirby are under fire for comments made yesterday, according to a report on href="http://thespinoff.co.nz/11-09-2015/media-george-fm-breakfast-producer-quits-live-on-air-is-commercial-radio-growing-a-conscience/" target="_blank">The Spinoff.
"George FM announcers Thane and Kara are truly sorry for Thursday's poorly judged and hurtful segment," the station said in a statement posted on their website.
"This morning they made a live, on air apology and the George FM Programme Director has called both girls named in the segment to apologise."
The statement says both hosts have been suspended.
The report by Alex Casey says Rickard and Kirby, who celebrated five years on air today, spent part of their show yesterday discussing the Instagram accounts of women they described as, "do nothing b***hes".
Rickard implied the label belonged to women who "just sit around and post half-naked pictures of themselves on Instagram".
George FM Breakfast hosts Kara Rickard and Thane Kirby are under fire for comments made yesterday. Photo / Facebook
She also called the women "rank" and "hoes", and said it was "a bit stupid really" when they used the platform to share their views on world issues while posting provocative photos.
The hosts then read out the full names of some of these women, including 20-year-old Aucklander Keely Paige.
Ms Paige, who says she is currently in Canada studying business with a B+ grade average and working two jobs to support herself, subsequently contacted the station.
The hosts phoned her in Canada and the interview was broadcast.
"I am all about empowering my body... girls should be empowered and love their body," Ms Paige told the hosts.
Ms Paige said she had an overcome an eating disorder, which was part of the reason she now promoted her body confidence.
"Even after I told her that I had an eating disorder and that's why I love my body now and want to show it off, the only words she [Kara] used to describe girls like that was 'slut' and a car that was gorgeous on the outside but has high miles."
"The first thing I did was cry, I've never been bullied that much... especially from two hosts who have such a big platform and are grown adults."
George FM reportedly apologised over the incident on air this morning, but are still facing criticism.
MediaWorks NZ and Ms Paige have been approached for comment, and responses will be added when received.
In February, Kirby apologised to Sonja Yelich, the mother of Kiwi singer Ella Yelich-O'Connor aka Lorde, after filming her at her house without permission.
