'Take a seat on this one Rebel Wilson': Actress schooled for claiming she's 'the first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy'
While it’s true that plus-size women aren’t well-represented in leading roles of major Hollywood films — especially rom-coms — the well-liked Rebel Wilson declaring herself “the first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy” isn’t sitting well with the internet.
The Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect actress is starring in and producing the film Isn’t It Romantic, which is about a woman disenchanted with love who mysteriously finds herself trapped inside a rom-com where she’s caught between two love interests (Liam Hemsworth and Adam Devine). She was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Wednesday to debut the trailer for the film and said she had had “such a ball filming” the flick, which breaks away from Hollywood stereotypes for plus-size characters. She also made the “first-ever plus-sized girl” proclamation.
Here’s Rebel on Ellen:
And here’s the trailer for Isn’t It Romantic:
Here's a TREAT for you this HALLOWEEN! On Valentine's Day 2019 ISN'T IT ROMANTIC is coming out and here is the first ever trailer especially for you! @ADAMDEVINE @LiamHemsworth @priyankachopra @bettygilpin @brandonSJ pic.twitter.com/3Thxz8Zm5S
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) October 31, 2018
While people are applauding the idea of the film (well, mostly), many are taking issue with her statement because, well, Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique and Ricki Lake did it first. (But especially the Queen.) That led to an online debate between fans and the Australian comedic actress, and several suggested that it’s another case of black people being erased from history.
Rebel Wilson clearly went to the Sam Smith School of Googling https://t.co/4B4OccJVSX
— Ira (@ira) November 1, 2018
Don’t get me wrong – there aren’t nearly enough fat and plus-size actresses cast as romantic leads but that statement from Rebel Wilson – issa no. pic.twitter.com/32x3n6izYx
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 1, 2018
Rebel Wilson saying she’s the first plus sized girl in a rom com like this iconic gem doesn’t exist pic.twitter.com/iblpPM4TXZ
— tony (@florababe_) November 1, 2018
Sorry my Aussie friend but you are not. Take a seat on this one @RebelWilson
Have you heard of #Queenlatifah ? not to mention other stars like #Monique #RickiLake #MelissaMcCarthy #ToniCollette pic.twitter.com/jNeQ76jPte— Karen Trivett🐺💜🐉 (@ket89) November 1, 2018
Here we have another example of the work of black women who did it first being erased. Queen Latifah and Mo'Nique both starred in romantic comedies. https://t.co/KxV2vYi8VH
— Auntie Monique (@thejournalista) November 1, 2018
Yeah, there’s no *way* she’s first. I’ve adored Queen Latifah practically since before rebel Wilson was born.
— Kelpie (@KelpiePellegrin) November 2, 2018
I remember Phat Girlz one of my favorites. Now that wasn't a well-known film as the other two with Queen Latifah but it was a romantic comedy with a black female lead who is plus size
— artist formally known as bamabelle (@blkumathurman) November 2, 2018
My thoughts on Rebel Wilson’s statement about being “the first plus size woman to star in a romantic comedy”: pic.twitter.com/zsilmfCSeS
— Nabela (@Nabela) November 1, 2018
…you're not the first though, @RebelWilson. Mo'nique, Queen Latifah, Melissa McCarthy, Kathy Bates, Gabby Sidibe, Octavia Spencer, and so many more have done it way before any of us knew who you were. https://t.co/RDqQH75u0S
— Bae Grylls (Mastodon: @[email protected]) (@TheAuracl3) November 2, 2018
This Rebel Wilson nonsense is a great opportunity to remind us how freaking gorgeous Queen Latifah is. pic.twitter.com/iMCRIYidBW
— RoxyB (@FoxRoxB) November 1, 2018
@RebelWilson so you’re just going to ignore all that came before you in a time that being “plus sized” wasn’t as welcomed as it is now. #QueenLatifah #rickyLake and many more.
— Darnell De Palma (@darnelldepalma1) November 1, 2018
Rebel Wilson chose the wrong one. Erasing Queen Latifah for her role as a plus-sized love interest? When do we go to war?
— The Unproblematic Member Of DatsPod🚨 (@Eedsmckenzie) November 2, 2018
To my last rt, Queen Latifah’s movies were my CHILDHOOD. Beauty Shop, Last Holiday, Just Wright we’re literally ICONIC MOVIES FOR ME. So uhhh pls Rebel Wilson I love ya girl but you’re not the first plus size woman to star in a romantic comedy.
— Hannah (@HannahElizaB_) November 1, 2018
This post got Wilson’s attention, and she posted a reply.
Hey girl! Yeah I of course know of these movies but it was questionable as to whether: 1. Technically those actresses were plus size when filming those movies or 2. Technically those films are catorgorized/billed as a studio rom-com with a sole lead. So there’s a slight grey area
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 1, 2018
Which really only led to more debate.
What’s questionable about mo’nique or queen latifah being plus size like what is she even saying lol
— Bo Diddley (@damnnnn_homie) November 2, 2018
“Just Wright” is rom-com Queen Latifah starred in. And yes by Hollywood AND White standards, she is viewed as plus-sized. It’s okay to admit you misspoke.
You are not the first and you will not be the last. pic.twitter.com/YmLdYTaXtD
— Clarkisha Kent: Steve Rogers’ Spooky Widow (@IWriteAllDay_) November 2, 2018
I think what annoys me most about Rebel Wilson’s dismissive ass tweet is how influential Latifah has been in normalizing plus-size and fat women on screen…
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 2, 2018
…but really it comes down to this – Black women’s bodies don’t matter when it comes to White women like Rebel Wilson. They will always value their representation more while erasing ours. She and that movie… pic.twitter.com/1qbno2zgjW
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 2, 2018
To answer your statements.
1. Yes Queen Latifah and Monique were plus size in their RomCom movies.2. To your secomd statement your just making too many excuses and I have no answer for you other than you are blind to the facts.
— tracy smith (@TSmith290) November 2, 2018
No. IMDB and Google are your friends. And where in the world were Mo'nique, Queen Latifah and Ricki Lake were not plus-sized when they made their movies. No, just, no. Take your L for being an actress who doesn't know her movie history.
— Nicole G. Cowie (@belovedbless) November 2, 2018
Um, no ma’am. Queen Latifah’s “Last Holiday” will ALWAYS be one of my favorite rom-com’s. You ARE NOT the first.#NiceTryThough pic.twitter.com/IfqLk8eaz0
— Sāvion (@SavionWright) November 2, 2018
Not much grey area. pic.twitter.com/GtAz5a8t8D
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) November 2, 2018
I’d also like to know what you mean by “gray area” on whether these movies w/ Black female leads can be truly categorized as rom coms because I don’t think you understand how that sounds. What about you and your rom com would be different (I reckon nothing, but I digress)? pic.twitter.com/DMBLUKwE7B
— Clarkisha Kent: Steve Rogers’ Spooky Widow (@IWriteAllDay_) November 2, 2018
Even Amy Schumer was dragged into the debate.
What about Amy Schumer?
— Cyra (@Shyla0812) November 2, 2018
While Schumer is not plus-size, it seems this debate was another reason to bash her movie I Feel Pretty — or compare the two.
@RebelWilson @amyschumer Great movie coming out Rebel. Maybe we’ve seen that before? #ifeelpretty?
— JJ (@JJCANUCK295) November 2, 2018
Rebel Wilson’s new movie is going to flop like Amy Schumer’s last fake body positivity movie and it will be hilarious. It’s a damn shame those two are still rewarded with opportunities even though they’re both tired and unfunny af pic.twitter.com/7OKoJPQ3ND
— rosechocglam (@rosechocglam) November 2, 2018
Wilson later posted another reply, noting that the comments — and criticisms — had been seen.
I fully take all the comments onboard though so thank you ??
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 1, 2018
But will people go see the movie? And will Wilson change the way she describes her role? We’ll know closer to Valentine’s Day, which is when the film hits theaters.
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