L.A. gym bans Playboy model after she posts body-shaming shower photo on Snapchat

Playboy model Dani Mathers has been banned from all LA Fitness gyms after she took a photo of a woman inside a locker room shower and posted it on Snapchat with disparaging comments about her body.

Mathers received public backlash after she shared the photo of the naked woman inside the gym’s locker room with the caption: “If I can’t unsee this then you can’t either.”

Critics accused her of making fun of the woman and body-shaming her. Others said Mathers’ actions were illegal.

LA Fitness on Friday responded to Mather’s action by permanently revoking her membership at all of its health clubs.

“Her behavior is appalling and puts every member at risk of losing their privacy,” said Jill Greuling, the company’s executive vice president of operations. The company would not say at which gym the incident occurred.

Greuling said law enforcement was notified about the matter.

“Our written rules are very clear: Cellphone usage and photography are prohibited in the locker rooms,” Greuling said. “This is not only our rule, but common decency.”

The mounting criticism on social media prompted Mather to issue an apology on Snapchat. She apparently deleted her Twitter and Instagram accounts.

“That was absolutely wrong and not what I meant to do,” she said. “I know that body-shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am.”

She said the photo was meant to be sent as a private message, but was posted publicly.

Critics said Mather’s message was not much of an apology.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter

ALSO

210 Freeway closed in Pasadena after fatal five-car crash

Family frantic to find UC Berkeley student missing in terrorist attack in Nice, France

‘You may NOT access our jail’: Police and fire official air grievances over ‘Pokemon Go’