Published in The Daily Telegraph, the Confidential columnist said Armytage underwent a “transformation” to appear on the high-rating breakfast program.
“Confidential today casts an eye over Armytage at her casual best running errands — an entirely different image to the one seen when the television cameras are rolling, the stylists are styling and the directors are directing,” Sharp wrote.
The story ran alongside a series of unflattering paparazzi images of Armytage – many of which were several years old.
Armytage, 37, said the article was “cowardly and mean” on Sunrise on Friday morning.
“I don’t understand this shaming. I don’t know whether it’s trying to bully me into an eating disorder,” she said.
“The story is an excuse to cast an eye over my style when I’m not at work. They’ve pulled together paparazzi photographs taken many years ago.
“Maybe it is to shame me for being a size 12. But I don’t understand why newspapers need to dredge up old pictures which have absolutely no news value on such a big news day,” Armytage added.
Sam in the The Weekly’s September issue.
She also took to Twitter to address what she believed was a personal attack on her appearance.
“Wow. A newspaper bullying a woman about her weight – I thought those days were gone!”
Model Jesinta Campbell tweeted that women should be supporting each other.
“This makes me so sad Sam! In a day where we should be lifting women up and focusing on more than what a woman is wearing this really is a backward step,” she said.
Editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Kellie Hush said it was “bullying at its tabloid worst”.
“Shame @dailytelegraph. @sam_armytage has been a target for months. Where is the sisterhood @InSharpRelief?” she tweeted.
Editor of Marie Claire, Jackie Frank told The Australian’s media editor Sharri Markson that the article was sexist.
“It’s outrageous, it’s disgusting, it’s sexist,” she said.
