Gabourey Sidibe: Latest Celebrity Target for Weight Loss Products
When an overweight person rises to notoriety, a flood of offers from weight loss companies to help them shed the pounds often follows.
Afterall, celebrities are goldmines for weight loss companies, and what better time to capitalize on the sudden fame of "Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe.
The first (or at least the most publicized) of the circling vultures is acaisupply.com, who claimed in a letter that they were worried about her health, and that she ought to consider weight loss for that reason alone, not her image.
Nothing wrong with that, except they go on to say:
The only way you can reach your goal of someday winning that Oscar is by being active, fit and most of all, healthy! (Source)Hmmm...
So many directions to go with this one, so little time. I will attempt point-form, and let the readership discuss these issues. Here are my opinions on Acaisupply.com's letter, Gabourey Sidibe's weight, and the blurry line between health and body image issues.
On Acaisupply.com's Proposal
- The Acaisupply.com people should have quit while they were ahead. Their public relations person should be fired.
- Getting Sidibe to pop pills for a year won't do jack squat in helping her shed pounds.
- Acai-related products are of the most overhyped on the planet.
On Gabourey Sidibe's Weight
- She probably should have won the Oscar for best actress. She didn't NOT win because of her weight, however.
- The sad reality is that she probably will have a difficult time getting follow-up work because of her weight. At least in a leading role.
On the Line Between Health and Body Image
We should be celebrating Sidibe's talent, not her size. Her weight does not take away from her acting ability. That said, Sidibe reportedly weighs in excess of 350lbs, and at that weight, she is not likely to be very healthy. While she may be a role-model for body image and size acceptance, this isn't something anyone should be happy with or proud of.
Let me explain: you CAN, and SHOULD be happy and accepting of who you are as a person - at any size - but you don't have to, nor should you accept being obese to the point of being unhealthy.
While I am tired of waif-thin being the Hollywood standard, I am also frustrated by the other end of the spectrum. I'm almost as uncomfortable with pressure to stay obese in the name of "size acceptance" as I am with pressure to be thin.
As for Gabourey Sidibe, I believe her best opportunity as a role model lies in making a choice to live a healthier lifestyle. The weight loss chips will fall were they may, but 1-2 years from now, what an amazing testament she could be to young women.
Imagine a message that says, "No, I'm not a size 2, and I'm more than okay with that... the way I used to be wasn't very healthy either though, and I decided to do something about it. I believe you can too."
16 Comments
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Created / Updated: March 21, 2010
@mike
ReplyWhile I really appreciate your comments, still I'm upset by part of your article. What do you know of Gabourey's eating habits, her weight gain might be related to health issues. Do you think you could find an article where she states she has an eating disorder?
Of course, when I see really big girls I wonder why/how they let themselves go to become this big. Then I remember I did put on a lot of weight before my health issues got diagnosed...
Hello Nicefrenchgurl,
You are right that I don't know for sure whether or not Sidibe's weight is something medically related. I haven't found anything to that end. I should have probably thrown that caveat in there, but I will say that I think it is VERY unlikely that this is the case. It would be almost impossible to reach such a size without eating poorly and/or too much.
ReplyAcaisupply.com are just looking for some exposure, why not try and associate yourself with a hot young talent? I hope Gabourey's people are steering her clear of this obvious attempt to exploit her.
However it is true that she will have a very hard time finding parts in Hollywood as a large girl. Her look suited Precious and her name may help her get roles in the short term, probably as "the friend", but that will no doubt dry up.
She should try and lose weight for her own health if nothing else.
ReplyNot true. Gabourey apparently has two more projects(Yelling to the Sky" and "The Big C") in production. If she does as well in these as in "Precious" I don't see why she won't find more gigs. Right now she's got the obese black girl niche. If she were to thin down she wouldn't have that difference to make her stand out and would have a harder time finding roles since she would be competing with all the skinny actresses that over-populate the LA/Hollywood area.
ReplyInteresting... I hope she does well - I'm really pulling for her. Are these bigger budget films?
ReplyI saw a clip of "The Big C" on a talk show that she was on and it looks like it's going to be really good. But in the movie, she plays an obese chain-smoker, so it's true that those are going to be the types of roles she's going to get with her body type.
Reply"The Big C" is a television show that she's signed to guest on and the movie is an indie. So where's Hollywood? Where's the major studios?
It remains to be seen how her career will pan out but I see television as her future. It's one thing to hit with a grungy indie movie about the projects but its quite another to have full out Hollywood career. I wish her well but I think she's a flash in the pan.
ReplyI think she's beautiful and talented. I hope she has a long and successful career and doensn't encounter discrimination because of her weight.
ReplyMe too, Steve. I loved watching her at the Oscars - very natural, very classy.
ReplyDiscrimination of weight is real in today's society. At this time, Gabourey has defiantly found her niche in the film industry, but what's happening inside her fluffy body is alarming. Who knows what drives her size, but she's not alone in this world of nutritional pollution. I didn't understand how sick I was until I lost 125#s. I took my blinders off. My heart understands the pain that comes from a large and in charge body.
ReplyI think Gabourey is a beautiful young woman, but I don't think she's aware of how much she's hurting herself by having the lifestyle she has. She does need to lose a little weight in order to improve her health, but taking an acai supplement won't do much for her. I know she has other film projects that she's working on, but she is doomed to be typecast as the fat/unhealthy girl in all of them unless she changes a few habits. I wish her the best of luck--she's a fabulous young lady.
Replywhat it all comes down to is perception. Gabourey is gorgeous and she is hurting herself, i'm sure at her age she's been told time and time again. I think when it comes to other roles, she isn't going to lose weight for that reason. I have never been comfortable with my weight, but, it seems to me that this girl is, she will want to get hired for a role BECAUSE of her size. she is similar to Monique in that aspect, that she knows she's big and may always will be so she needs to fit THAT role. Does she needs to get healthy for herself? of course, will she? if she does, lets hope she doesn't go to acaisupply to be sponsored
ReplyShowtime shows are more high profile than your average TV shows. I mean the likes of Toni Collette, David Duchovny, Mary-Louise Parker, Peter O'Toole etc. etc. all play parts in Showtime original series. Actually made for cable series are considered ok for most hollywood actors to take parts in (They are not seen a step down like network television.)
As for her only having roles in indies.... well I say GOOD! Most Hollywood movies lack originality, and generally suck. Actors worth their snuff in Hollywood take roles in indies for their scripts and to tell a good story, and to stretch their acting muscles. They take the blockbuster roles for the paycheck. I would be very happy if she stays indie.
As for her health, I hope she does find a nutritionist and a personal trainer. I don't think she has to get skinny but following a healthy diet and exercise plan should be everyone's goal. I just hope if she loses weight she doesn't find herself out of a job. I agree it's sick to pressure her to stay at a certain size to get roles, be it scary skinny or scary big. but size should not be her focus, a healthy lifestyle should be. Get your life in balance and the weight will fall in line.
ReplyI really loved this article!! I agree with you that the societal pressures are directed at 2 extremes and I don't advocate being too thin or too heavy...I wish more shows, blogs, articles, etc stressed how to achieve a balance of these 2 (oftentimes unhealthy, but not in all cases) extremes. Great article!!
ReplyWeight loss companies will offer her lots and lots of money to endorse their products , she could make tons of money to lose a ton of weight [which she needs to do or she'll die young]
ReplyYes, it was a bad call on their part but most people are glad for a little help which she will probably receive for free.
ReplyMost people know it is hell to have your thyroid destroyed by Hashimotos disease and later find you have cancer of the thyroid. The disease causes depression.
Oh wow, I wonder why some people just "let themselves go?"
She needs to see a doctor and have these issues looked into. No, the synthetic hormone doesn't work for everyone , either.
It isn't "just" an excuse but it is definitely working with a handicap.