Let’s talk about the saga of Kylie Kelce—a woman who dares to live her life at a staggering 5’11” in a world where women are apparently supposed to be no taller than 5’4”, perched daintily on heels, and living out their delicate existences without breaking a sweat. Kylie recently opened up on her podcast Not Gonna Lie about the bullying she endured for her height. The audacity of being a tall woman, right?
Kylie’s story is a familiar one: a young girl growing up in a world where “cute” is king (or queen), and “huge” is a dirty word. Her high school years were plagued by comments like, “You’re huge; you’re a man,” from a boy clearly compensating for his lack of verticality—and, let’s be honest, probably other insecurities too. But Kylie’s struggle highlights a deeper issue: why does society have such a problem with tall women?
The Tall Woman’s Plight: A Comedy of Errors
Height is one of those immutable traits—you can’t slap on a cream or hide it under a flattering sweater. For tall girls, adolescence becomes a never-ending circus act where they’re constantly being pointed out, commented on, and, let’s face it, dragged.
Take Kylie’s anecdote about her family. Growing up around her 6’9” dad and 6’3” NFL-playing husband made her height seem normal. But in high school, surrounded by boys still waiting for puberty to come knocking, her height became an easy target. Because, apparently, society decided long ago that women are supposed to be “petite,” and Kylie wasn’t playing along.
Society’s Obsession with Petite Women
Let’s dissect this “petite” fetish for a moment. Traditional beauty standards paint women as small, delicate, and dependent. If you’ve ever flipped through a romance novel, you’ve seen the trope: the heroine stands 5’2”, gazing up at her 6’4” love interest like he’s a Greek god. Meanwhile, tall women are tossed into the “Amazon” archetype, treated as mythical warriors or basketball players, as if their only value lies in dunking on someone—figuratively or literally.
This obsession with petite women is steeped in gender norms as stale as last week’s bread. Men are supposed to be big and strong; women are supposed to be small and fragile. It’s not just an aesthetic preference—it’s a societal construct designed to keep women in their place (literally below men, both physically and figuratively).
High School: The Tall Girl’s Battlefield
Adolescence is a nightmare for everyone, but tall girls face a unique brand of torment. Their height makes them targets for teasing, not because being tall is inherently bad but because it’s different. And let’s be honest, kids are cruel. If they see something that stands out—like a tall girl towering over the class photo—you can bet they’re going to make it a thing.
Kylie’s experience of being called “huge” or compared to a man isn’t just a one-off horror story. It’s a reflection of how society polices women’s appearances from an early age. God forbid a woman takes up space, both literally and figuratively.
The Psychology of Height Insecurity
According to experts, the insecurities that plague tall women often start in adolescence, when fitting in feels like a matter of life and death. Psychologist Sophia Spencer hits the nail on the head: height is an “immediately visible” trait that can’t be concealed or modified. Unlike acne, which (hopefully) clears up, or haircuts, which grow out, height is permanent. For tall girls, this permanence can feel like a life sentence.
And it’s not just about appearance. Tall girls are often perceived as older and more mature simply because they look the part. This leads to unrealistic expectations, stereotyping, and a host of other issues. For Kylie, being tall meant dealing with insults designed to undermine her femininity. For others, it might mean being pushed into sports they don’t even like or being treated like an anomaly instead of a person.
The Upside to Height: A Long-Term Perspective
Here’s the kicker: as much as being tall might feel like a curse during adolescence, studies show that it comes with a host of advantages later in life. Tall people are often perceived as more authoritative, competent, and even attractive (once everyone grows up, of course). They’re more likely to become leaders and earn higher salaries. In the adult world, height equals status.
But for Kylie—and many tall women—it took years to embrace these benefits. As she pointed out on her podcast, reframing the narrative was key. She stopped seeing “huge” as an insult and started seeing it as a badge of strength. Her thighs aren’t big—they’re strong. Her height isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature.
Breaking Down the Double Standards
Let’s address the elephant in the room: if Kylie were a man, her height would be a non-issue. In fact, it would probably be celebrated. Men are expected to be tall; it’s considered a hallmark of masculinity. But when a woman is tall, it’s treated as an oddity. She’s too big, too noticeable, too… much.
This double standard is rooted in the same gender norms that glorify petite women. Men are allowed to take up space; women are not. Men are allowed to be commanding; women are supposed to be demure. It’s a tired narrative, and it’s high time we moved past it.
Kylie’s Message: Redefining What Matters
Kylie’s ultimate takeaway is refreshingly simple: who cares what other people think? As she put it, “Who gives a f*** if you tower over every kid in your class?” At the end of the day, what matters is being a kind and decent person—not whether you fit into society’s narrow definition of femininity.
Her message is one that resonates beyond height. It’s about rejecting societal standards that don’t serve you and embracing the things that make you unique. Because the truth is, the world needs tall women, short women, and everyone in between.
Closing Thoughts: Let’s Stop Being So Short-Sighted
The next time you feel tempted to comment on someone’s height—whether they’re tall, short, or somewhere in the middle—maybe think twice. Height, like so many other physical traits, is just a part of who someone is. It doesn’t define their worth, their capabilities, or their humanity.
Kylie Kelce’s story is a reminder that we all have insecurities, but we also have the power to overcome them. So let’s stop tearing each other down for things we can’t control and start celebrating what makes us different. Because if tall girls can survive high school and come out stronger on the other side, maybe the rest of us can learn a thing or two from them.