#trending: S'pore-based UK model leaves photo shoot in tears after disparaging comment on her postpartum belly

SINGAPORE — Singapore-based model and influencer Brie Benfell who recently gave birth "left a (photo)shoot in tears" after a female photographer made a seemingly thoughtless comment about her belly.

The 34-year-old mother of two, who is from the United Kingdom and settled down in Singapore with her husband seven years ago, talked about her experience on TikTok on Wednesday (Oct 5).

Social media users have spoken out against the incident, calling it "insensitive" and noting that all body types should be embraced.

The story of how Ms Benfell, then 28, and her husband fell in love previously went viral a few years ago. After dating online for four months, she flew across the world to meet him for the first time — and the rest is history.

The couple welcomed their second child in July this year, just three months ago.

"This time around, it's been a lot slower," she says in the video, referring to her current recovery after the baby's delivery. "I have postpartum anxiety, my body is very different from my first."

Postpartum recovery, or getting back to one's pre-pregnancy self, is known to take time and can differ for every pregnancy, medical health site WebMD states.

The model continues: "I put on my second outfit and I said, 'I'm a bit self-conscious with my arms, so just let me know (how it looks) because I want the clothes to look good.'

"She (the photographer) said, 'Well, how about your lower (abdomen)?' And proceeded to continue to talk about my postpartum belly."

In the video, Ms Benfell can be seen becoming visibly distressed as she carries on with her story.

"I have confidence. And I felt really... quite pretty today," she adds. "And that was taken away as soon as she said that to me."

"Coming from another woman who is a 'professional' photographer... (this is) also disappointing."

Her followers have expressed much outrage and encouragement on her posts, which she had published both on TikTok and Instagram. Some comments also came from social media influencers here and friends of Ms Benfell such as Ming Bridges and Melissa Celestine Koh.

Professional speaker Marissa Nasution empathised: "Sending you big hugs, I totally get the feels.

"The journey with number two feels so much tougher, emotionally and physically.

"Women, especially moms, are beautiful, whatever size and scars ❤️".

A TikTok user, who goes by the handle "tynatol", wrote: "I wish we could normalise that women actually have (bellies) — and they are beautiful."

Professional photographer Beixin Lee also offered her sympathies, writing: "As a photographer myself, I can't imagine treating a model like this — those remarks are completely unnecessary and lack so much kindness and compassion."

In an Instagram Story posted on Thursday (Oct 6), Ms Benfell thanked everyone profusely for their kind comments, saying that they truly meant a lot to her and she would be taking the time to respond to each and every one personally.

As she put it: "Words are powerful. So really think before you say things."