Standing Out in Times Square: What Happened When I Wore a Bikini
What one woman learned about body image and public perception after baring all in the heart of NYC.
Posing in a Bikini at Times Square: An Unexpected Experiment
Standing in the world-famous Times Square, I felt sweat accumulate—not just from New York’s weather, but from the anxiety about what was to come. My name is Anna O’Brien, founder of the curvy fashion blog Glitter and Lazers. When RTL, a German news network, contacted me for a documentary shoot, I made a conscious decision: instead of a discreet environment, I would face New York’s masses in a bikini, right at the city’s crossroads of spectacle and scrutiny.
The First Big Reveal
Nerves rattled my hands as I untied a bow on my maxi skirt. Beneath the layers was a bright pink bikini, exposed to strangers and thousands of camera phones. As my clothes dropped to the ground, a cacophony of voices rose up. The attention was immediate and overwhelming.
- Catcalls and lewd comments from around the square
- Cell phones pointed directly at my body
- A blur of faces—some curious, others judgmental, and many indifferent
I had expected stares and perhaps even shame. But instead, I found myself the object of aggressive, overtly sexual remarks, as though my body was an open invitation for public commentary. The sheer intensity of being fetishized, not just noticed, caught me off guard.
Body Positivity Meets Fetishization: The Unexpected Challenge
Before the shoot, I had mentally steeled myself for shouts of “fat” or “gross.” Instead, the comments fixated on my sexuality—as if my confidence in my shape was somehow provocative or staged for others’ entertainment. Here are some real-life comments hurled at me in the first moments:
- “I want to suck on them tasty toes.”
- “Hey baby, let me butter them biscuits for you.”
- “Twerk for the camera baby, show them how that ass clap.”
These statements weren’t just unwanted—they betrayed a complete lack of respect, not only for my body but for my autonomy as a woman. They were about dominance and objectification, not admiration or curiosity.
Stunned, Yet Defiant
Tears welled up, a reflex I couldn’t control. I confronted the men. Their replies echoed a painful cultural myth: that plus-size women couldn’t be “f*ckable” unless men dictated it. In that moment, I felt compelled to clarify, out loud and on social media: “A plus-size woman’s worth, or any one woman’s worth for that matter, is not contingent on someone wanting to have sex with them. You don’t exist to pleasure someone else … you exist to change the world.”
Fighting Back: When Bystanders Weigh In
Before much longer, a new distraction pushed the early hecklers aside—a passing pedestrian with a “Give me cash for weed” sign blurted out a tired fat joke. It was, paradoxically, a relief. The tension shifted, the crowd’s focus scattered. I felt, at last, a little breathing room to regain composure.
The documentary crew reminded me: I could stop at any time. The encouragement allowed me to refocus. For a brief span, I was able to ignore the abuse and re-enter familiar territory—posing, clicking, adjusting for better angles, just as in past shoots. But just as I gained confidence, I realized the public gaze hadn’t abated: one man with his camera phone remained fixated on my backside, his device unmistakably aimed to exploit my vulnerability. In every photo from that angle, he’s there—a harsh reminder that, to some, I was just a spectacle.
From Humiliation to Empowerment: Why It Mattered
Why subject myself to this ordeal? In the throes of humiliation and introspection, I came close to wrapping up the shoot early. The experience felt less about breaking fashion norms and more about enduring a gauntlet of disrespect. Yet, it was a fleeting moment—one small gesture—that reframed everything.
Among the throng, a child gazed up at me—a little girl in a red tank top and denim overalls. Her smile and whispered, “You’re pretty,” cut through the negativity. I’d been seen, truly seen, not for my body or its desirability, but for the courage it took to stand there. That validation, coming from a place of innocent empathy, made the experience worthwhile.
Redefining Success
For me, the real victory wasn’t triumphing over catcallers, nor even the photos that would circulate online afterward. It was in showing at least one young bystander that confidence and self-expression come in all shapes and sizes. That act of visibility can matter as much as, if not more than, the negative noise that often drowns out progress.
Understanding Public Space, Body Politics, and Spectacle
My story may focus on a single bikini-clad woman in a busy square, but the spectacle of women’s bodies in public is hardly new in Times Square. Historically, the area has long attracted street performers—some topless, others costumed, and all navigating complex intersections of performance, objectification, and legality.
Bikini-Clad Stunts and Social Commentary
- Public performances in Times Square have often sparked debate about consent, decency, and self-ownership.
- For example: staged stunts, like those involving models or impersonators, have used the location’s visibility both for protest and for playful social commentary.
- The immediate reaction from crowds—ranging from cheers to jeers—reveals deep-rooted societal attitudes about women, bodies, and public space.
- From body-positive photo shoots to activist events on autonomy and respect, Times Square remains a litmus test of American values.
The Cultural Backlash and Legal Discussion
Times Square performers, especially women baring skin for art or protest, often draw criticism as well as punitive responses. Panhandling is legal, but “aggressive panhandling” or “disorderly conduct” can quickly attract police attention. The ongoing tension reflects a larger conversation about what public space is meant for—and who gets to take up that space comfortably and safely.
| Type of Performer | Common Public Reaction | Challenges Faced |
|---|---|---|
| Bikini/Topless Models | Largely mixed: from photos and admiration to catcalls and complaints | Fetishization, legality concerns, harassment |
| Costumed Characters | Amusement, tourist engagement, complaint about aggression | Income instability, legal gray area, negative PR |
Reflection and Advice: What I Learned
Posing in a bikini in public wasn’t about courting controversy or fame—it was about pushing boundaries and facing my deepest insecurities. Here’s what I discovered:
- Your body, your rules: Only you decide what you’re comfortable with. No one else gets to assign your worth.
- Public opinion is unpredictable: Sometimes, the most hurtful voices aren’t the most visible. They’re just the loudest in the moment.
- Empowerment can be contagious: Even if negativity is overwhelming, one positive reaction—a supportive message, a young girl’s encouragement—can shift everything.
- Resilience is learned: What feels unbearable in one moment can become a lesson in self-worth the next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What inspired Anna O’Brien to do a bikini shoot in Times Square?
Anna agreed to the shoot as part of an RTL documentary. She chose Times Square specifically for its visibility and symbolic value—testing not just her own comfort, but also society’s reaction to body diversity and confidence in a high-visibility urban environment.
How do passersby usually react to unconventional photoshoots in Times Square?
Reactions are mixed. Many onlookers express curiosity, amusement, or appreciation, but overt sexualization, harassment, and ridicule are common, especially toward women who defy mainstream beauty norms.
Why are public photo shoots important for body positivity?
They challenge stereotypes and open up important discussions about beauty, confidence, and autonomy. Visibly celebrating all body types can help normalize diversity while inspiring others to question societal standards.
Is it legal to pose in a bikini in Times Square?
Yes, it’s legal to wear a bikini or even be topless in public spaces throughout New York City, including Times Square. However, performers may encounter issues if they’re accused of panhandling, harassment, or disorderly conduct.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Representation
When I look back on that afternoon in Times Square, I remember feeling vulnerable, exposed, and at times, deeply upset. Yet, I also recall a newfound strength—a resolve to stand firm, not just for myself, but for every woman who has ever felt less-than because her body didn’t fit someone else’s mold.
- Confidence isn’t innate; it’s practiced, again and again, often in the face of fear.
- Representation matters. Every act of public confidence chips away at old standards.
- Your worth is intrinsic—not defined by crowd opinion, but by your willingness to be yourself, unapologetically.
If sharing my story helps even one person see themselves as worthy, empowered, and beautiful, then every odd stare in Times Square was worth it.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/news/a45011/what-its-like-times-square-naked-all-day/
- https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bikini-clad-models-surround-fake-donald-trump-in-new-york-city-stunt-1479094
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a22025655/glitter-and-lazers-times-square-bikini-photo-comments/
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