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if you go back to movies like Shallow State And Whale or similar TV shows Friends And new girl, they all have one thing in common – flat-sized actors in fat suits. Sometimes it’s just to make fat people the hotspot, and sometimes the whole plot focuses on the character’s weight. In 2023, why are we still using actors in fat suits to portray fat people?!
Some say that certain flat-dimensional actor “Best choice for the role, so fat overalls have to be used.” There are a few problems with this discourse. Of course, there are many talented straight sized actors in Hollywood. Because of the stories written involving plus-size people, they’re typically only used as supporting characters for comic relief. How many successful fat actors can you count? Very little.
If they became famous when they were fat, we typically see that actor lose weight as his popularity grows. The pressure of Hollywood, whether it’s greater access to medical care, home chefs and personal trainers, often leaves a sour taste in our mouths. To see someone we truly connect with visible plus size representation Leaving the community and supporting a diet culture can be incredibly discouraging. And it seems like a vicious circle.
If we focus Whale especially, as it has been the subject of wide debate lately, what message does it convey that the star of this movie won an Oscar for her performance and the movie won the Best Makeup award?
If you haven’t heard much about this movie, the main character gains weight as a result of self-neglect as she mourns the loss of her boyfriend. According to a journalist from the NY Times, The Whale’s director and writer “he saw obesity as the ultimate human failure, something vile, to be avoided at all costs.”
J Kevin ThompsonA retired psychology professor at the University of South Florida, he has spent decades studying the representation of fat people in the media. He states “more recent uses [fatsuits] it can be psychologically damaging to both viewers and actors – and women both on screen and in the audience bear the brunt of the pain.
Cautionary stories as tools to evoke comic relief or pity – that’s how we’re portrayed. This use of fat clothes in TV shows and movies, fat phobia and teaches the audience that it’s “ok” to turn obesity into a joke or a tragedy. Not to mention, none of us can wear our fat for a day and take it off to escape the social pressure that comes with it. There is always a lack of authenticity when a straight person plays a fat role.
There are definitely fat actors who would love to not only bring their lived experience to a major role but also be the representation they want to see. For example, its founder Stephanie Lexis. Broadway Body Positivity Projectfocuses on helping introduce plus-size people in intimate roles.
abby, @morethantracyt, talks about her representation of fat in the media, both on her social media pages and on her podcast. It discusses the issues of how fat people are portrayed, the fat tropes that TV shows and movies play, and how things need to change.
In 2023, it’s time for casting directors and producers to stop stereotyping fat people and start giving plus-size people a chance. Fat people deserve a chance to be cast in any role, not just a role written for a plus-size person.
We have careers, aspirations, goals, relationships in real life – we lead completely normal lives!
Why do all depictions of fat people have to focus on their weight? Real representation happens when plus-size actors can play any role. This is the change we need to see in Hollywood!
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