News anchor who battled cancer was body-shamed by 'regular viewer'—she responded like a boss on-air

Body shaming is the worst thing that can happen to a person as it brings down their spirit and breaks their confidence. Therefore, it becomes crucial for those who are affected to speak up against body shamers. Canadian news anchor Leslie Horton was broadcasting traffic reports live for Global News Calgary in 2023. But none of her colleagues knew she was about to address a hurtful email she had received shortly before her segment, according to TODAY. A viewer, who would often watch Horton presenting the traffic report, had sent her a body-shaming email while mocking her choice of clothes. 

“Congratulations on your pregnancy. If you’re going to wear old bus driver pants, you can expect emails like this," the mail from the troll read. Horton was familiar with the email's sender and she took the opportunity to call out the body shamer on live TV. “He’s reached out several times over the years, and his intent is always to humiliate and hurt me,” Horton recalled about the incident to the news outlet in an interview. “We’re not supposed to respond to trolls — so I had no plans to address it, but then the words just came out of my mouth. I had this visceral reaction.” In a video posted by @GlobalCalgary on their X handle, Horton can be seen responding to the troll like a boss.

“No, I’m not pregnant. I lost my uterus to cancer last year and this is what women my age look like," Horton spoke while looking into the camera. "So, if it’s offensive to you, that is unfortunate. Think about the emails you send.” Horton shared that the man who had body-shamed her and criticized her outfit was a regular viewer and was possibly aware of Horton's battle with endometrial cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer back in 2020 after which she shared the news with the channel's audience. “I had a radical hysterectomy, which means they don’t just take your uterus, they take everything — and it immediately impacts the shape of your body,” Horton told TODAY. 

“Maybe I was responding to the pregnancy, no uterus, cancer thing,” Horton continued, “Or maybe it’s just the fact that I’m tired of female broadcasters and women, in general, being treated this way." Horton mentioned that she would continue to wear whatever she wanted to wear. "I will continue going on TV because calling me old, fat and ugly doesn't change the way I feel about myself," she stated. “I also believe that your local news station should reflect your community, and guess what? There are other 59-year-old women out there!"

The newscaster also noted how the male anchors of Global News Calgary were shocked after going through the emails their female colleagues received over the years. Speaking on Global News' "The Morning Show" segment in a separate interview, Horton elaborated on her bold response. "I have heard from women thanking me for speaking out," Horton shared. "I am just a mom in Calgary hosting TV but I draw a line. If you are going to reach out with inappropriate words aimed at hurting, shaming and humiliating me, I get to say no." Horton also ended up getting massive support online that included celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and many more.