It was over a year ago that Kumail Nanjiani stunned his fans when he posted a photo looking absolutely ripped. His body has now gone viral again but this time due to steroid accusations, which some think have deliberately racist undertones.
On Jan. 1, the "Big Sick" actor, who's still buff, posted a photo with a piece of cake. In his caption, he gushed over the dessert. Soon, though, some on social media started accusing him of taking the easy road in his body transformation, which he did for his role in Marvel's upcoming "Eternals."
The comments section of his Instagram was flooded with accusations of steroid use. There was an accusation of using a human growth hormone. There were even claims that Kumail's jawline is different.
Kumail's defenders weren't having it.
"Body shaming Kumail Nanjiani for…being jacked? Is way weird," one person said while also posting photos of white actors who've gotten fit for roles. Those actors, the person said, have done "the same super-soldier program and never got any flack for it. I wonder what the difference is?"
Another user had a similar sentiment in tweeting that neither Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth nor Chis Pratt were hit with steroid rumors.
"Kumail Nanjiani looks awesome af and I wish I looked as half as good as him," one defender said. "Notice how y'all only make fun of the men of color, but not your white favs."
Kumail first posted images of his new body in December 2019, much to the astonishment of nearly everyone.
"I never thought I'd be one of those people who would post a thirsty shirtless, but I've worked way too hard for way too long so here we are. You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain," he wrote at the time. "I found out a year ago I was going to be in Marvel's Eternals and decided I wanted to transform how I looked. I would not have been able to do this if I didn't have a full year with the best trainers and nutritionists paid for by the biggest studio in the world. I'm glad I look like this, but I also understand why I never did before. It would have been impossible without these resources and time."
Since that day, the Oscar nominee has been the subject of steroid rumors, which he has always ignored.