NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Max Key 'fat-shamed' on social media

NZ Herald
11 Mar, 2019 07:42 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Photo / Instagram

Photo / Instagram

Max Key has taken to Instagram this week to call out social media trolls for 'fat shaming' him.

The 23-year-old DJ and son of former Prime Minister John Key, says in a post he has "copped sh*t" his "entire life and has very thick skin," but it has "really made him think."

"Growing up I was always chubby, and then hit puberty and looked like I was a rake till I was about 21," says Max, who admits that "gymming has never been a big part of his life" and he uses it "as a way to escape" and "clear his head."

After two years of progress, he says he is 18kgs heavier and a "lot stronger and happier."

View this post on Instagram

Hahah I’ve never done one of these before so bare with me guys, but basically last night as you can see I got fat shamed for the first time in my life, which having thick skin didn’t bother me a hell of a lot but it really made me think. Growing up I was always chubby, and then hit puberty and looked like I was a rake till I was about 21. Gyming has never been a massive part of my life and I’ve always used it as a way to escape and clear my head. Long short of it is with 2 years of progress I’m 18kg heavier, a lot stronger and just a whole lot happier with where I’m at. I might not be the skinny AF dude with the abs now, but I live a lifestyle where I eat whatever I want, have a few drinks every now and then 😏 and am very happy in my own skin. I think it’s a lesson to all, especially with our bodies and Image that sometimes it’s best to keep our opinions to ourselves, cause you never know what battles someone else is fighting. Now before all the idiots come out and say that I’m always posting shirtless photos and should be happy to take the criticism, this post is nothing about me. I’ve copped shit my entire life and have very thick skin, and am aware of the consequences of putting yourself online and what you open yourself up to. Just thought it was good food for thought, excuse the pun 🥰❤️

A post shared by Max Key 🔑 (@maxkey_) on Mar 11, 2019 at 12:31am PDT

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"I might not be the skinny AF dude with the abs now, but I live a lifestyle where I eat whatever I want, have a few drinks every now and then and am very happy in my own skin."

"I think it's a lesson to all, especially with our bodies and Image that sometimes it's best to keep our opinions to ourselves, cause you never know what battles someone else is fighting."

Key says that he knows he "always posts shirtless photos" and is "happy to take the criticism" in return.

"Now before all the idiots come out and say that I'm always posting shirtless photos and should be happy to take the criticism, this post is nothing about me. I've copped shit my entire life and have very thick skin, and am aware of the consequences of putting yourself online."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Fans have rallied around him in support of his recent post with kind words of encouragement.

"100% the best you've ever looked."

"This is so disgusting. people in this world are ridiculous! Honestly, the amount of keyboard warriors out there is unreal."

"What the hell? You called fat!!! That's ridiculous! You are a beautiful man."

"You showing your brain now as well as your bod. This post is lit, super positive addition. bless you."

"You can never win in this world. Ignore them and carry on doing YOU."

We agree Max! Keep doing you!

Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Woman charged with injuring pedestrian after allegedly driving into him

28 May 02:33 AM
New Zealand

'Keep Rotorua beautiful': Dad leads charge for citywide clean-up this Saturday

28 May 01:48 AM
New ZealandUpdated

‘Focus on your chaotic coalition’: Whanau slams Luxon for bagging Wellington

28 May 01:46 AM

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Recommended for you
Reserve Bank cuts OCR to 3.25% as BNZ cuts mortgage rates
Business

Reserve Bank cuts OCR to 3.25% as BNZ cuts mortgage rates

28 May 02:14 AM
NPR sues Donald Trump to block order ending its federal funding
World

NPR sues Donald Trump to block order ending its federal funding

28 May 02:07 AM
'Keep Rotorua beautiful': Dad leads charge for citywide clean-up this Saturday
Rotorua Daily Post

'Keep Rotorua beautiful': Dad leads charge for citywide clean-up this Saturday

28 May 01:48 AM
‘Focus on your chaotic coalition’: Whanau slams Luxon for bagging Wellington
New Zealand

‘Focus on your chaotic coalition’: Whanau slams Luxon for bagging Wellington

28 May 01:46 AM
The PM ponders carbon farming on The Country
The Country

The PM ponders carbon farming on The Country

28 May 01:39 AM

Latest from New Zealand

Woman charged with injuring pedestrian after allegedly driving into him

Woman charged with injuring pedestrian after allegedly driving into him

28 May 02:33 AM

Police have charged a 43-year-old woman after a pedestrian was injured.

'Keep Rotorua beautiful': Dad leads charge for citywide clean-up this Saturday

'Keep Rotorua beautiful': Dad leads charge for citywide clean-up this Saturday

28 May 01:48 AM
‘Focus on your chaotic coalition’: Whanau slams Luxon for bagging Wellington

‘Focus on your chaotic coalition’: Whanau slams Luxon for bagging Wellington

28 May 01:46 AM
The PM ponders carbon farming on The Country

The PM ponders carbon farming on The Country

28 May 01:39 AM
Explore the hidden gems of NSW
sponsored

Explore the hidden gems of NSW

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP
search by queryly Advanced Search