American actress Shannon Purser is known for her portrayal of Barbara “Barb” Holland in the hit series Stranger Things and as Ethel Muggs in Riverdale.
Recently, she has spoken on her Twitter account about the immense body shaming in Hollywood.
“they’re not hiring fat actors for iconic fat characters because they want a big name star. there are almost no fat big name stars because fat actors aren’t allowed upward mobility. we aren’t allowed upward mobility because the industry sees us as two-dimensional set pieces.” she tweeted.
they’re not hiring fat actors for iconic fat characters because they want a big name star. there are almost no fat big name stars because fat actors aren’t allowed upward mobility. we aren’t allowed upward mobility because the industry sees us as two-dimensional set pieces.
— Shannon (@shannonpurser) June 20, 2022
Shannon calling out the industry about this matter is such a courageous thing to do. Her tweet also serves as awareness of the reality that plus-size actors are facing in the industry.
Speculations saying that her tweet was about Emma Thompson’s character
In the upcoming movie adaptation of “Matilda the Musical”, Emma Thompson plays the iconic character of Miss Trunchbull. The actress is required to wear a fat suit to look bulk up for the role in the movie.
Mind your pigtails…
Here's your first look at Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. pic.twitter.com/W0ocBhW3Lc
— Netflix (@netflix) June 15, 2022
After the release of the teaser photo and movie trailer, people have also expressed mixed reactions about the fat suit used for Emma Thompson on social media.
This is not the first time the industry giving fat suits to actors just for their character in the movie. As there are many related issues about it in the past before.
Hollywood should prioritize giving roles to actual plus-size actorsÂ
As per what Shannon Purser said that there are no plus-size actors with big names in the industry because they are not allowed to have upward mobility.
Hollywood should start to normalize and prioritize giving these roles to actual plus-size actors instead of making fat suits just to fit the character.
Plus-size actors all have the potential too to make a big name in the industry. All they need are opportunities, acknowledgment, and respect from the industry like all actors do.
It’s already 2022. The industry needs to adapt to these changes and be open-minded because it’s been long overdue.
Always remember
Fat-shaming will never be okay in all aspects. People in all shapes and sizes are equally beautiful just the way they are and we do not have the right to take that away from them. They deserve respect wherever they are, may it be at home, school, and in the workforce.
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