Rebel Wilson’s Weight Loss Doesn’t Make Her a Better Person
By: Christine Schoenwald
Tags: Beauty, Culture, Self, Fat, Entertainment

Rebel Wilson’s Weight Loss Doesn’t Make Her a Better Person

Celebrating weight-loss reinforces the idea that fat people have limited worth.

Photo by Blake Barlow on Unsplash

As a fat person, I’m not angry with Rebel Wilson for losing weight. She’s not required to stay fat so that I can see some fat representation.

I understand how difficult it is to have a career in show business as a fat person. Rebel hasn’t had an easy time of it lately: her rom-com movies underperformed, she probably lost out on some roles due to her size, and I’m sure any running or stunt scenes were challenging.

What annoys me is the idea that Rebel’s weight loss makes her a more valuable person.

I have no issue with her reasons for wanting to lose weight, whatever they may be. What annoys me is the idea that Rebel’s weight loss makes her a more valuable person. Rebel didn’t suddenly become Mother Teresa or Ruth Bader Ginsburg — she worked out more and changed her eating patterns. Her weight loss isn’t going to change the world for the better, no matter how it affects her own life.

The media seems to think with the weight Rebel shed; she also got rid of personality or character flaws. We can see with our own eyes evidence how Rebel is capable of hard work and discipline as if her career achievements didn’t count when she was fat.

Judge somebody on their character, not if they can wear skinny jeans.

Appearance shouldn’t be a barometer of whether someone is a decent human being if they are hard workers or intelligent. Unfortunately, people are often judged harshly when their looks don’t align with what society regards as attractive.

While some silently judge fat people for their choices, others aren’t so subtle and will openly bully and shame them. Fat people deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, just like anyone, just like an average-sized person.

Weighing less or being thinner does not make you better or more worthy than someone who lives in a larger body, and it’s beyond time we dismantle that harmful trope. — Rachael Hope

It’s nothing more than a cliché to view a fat person as lazy, unethical, and less intelligent, and it’s narrow-minded to see weight loss as a character-redemption. Losing weight doesn’t change who you are at your core.

Rebel is only now allowed to love herself.

We are all worthy — no matter what our body size is — and this includes thin people, fat people, and everyone in between. Worthiness shouldn’t be based on BMI, a number on a scale, or if you fit into a size zero.

We are taught that thin is synonymous with beauty, power, and love. But, in fact, it is not. Beauty is not something women earn; it is something people are. — Virgie Tovar, You Have the Right to Remain Fat

When a fat person is open and honest about loving themselves, people take issue with it. We all deserve love, respect, and to live incredible lives, and all the good things life has to offer shouldn’t be contingent on how small, fit, or attractive we are.

Body shape doesn’t indicate healthiness.

Size doesn’t necessarily guarantee fitness or indicate that a person has healthy eating habits. Many diets harm your health even as they make you smaller.

Are there health risks for people carrying extra fat on their bodies? Yes, but that doesn’t always translate into poor health.

There’s a difference between having health risks and having actual health problems. Plenty of “obese” people are legitimately healthy. Many of us run, do yoga, go to the gym, eat salads, and do all the things you assume we must not be doing. — Rachael Hope

Our weight doesn’t define us.

Rebel had every positive quality when she was at her highest weight; she still has — weight loss doesn’t change who we are inside. If someone isn’t interested in going beyond another person’s looks, then that’s their loss.

Is fatter funnier?

Early on in her career, Rebel was in a play with a fatter woman who got more laughs than she did. Rebel connected the dots and decided that fatter was funnier.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Rebel said, “I remember distinctly thinking: ‘I think it’s because she’s fatter.’ And then, I don’t know if it was mega-conscious, but I thought: ‘How can I get more laughs? Maybe if I was a bit fatter…’ And then suddenly I was fatter and doing comedy.”

Rebel won’t be able to depend on her size to get laughs automatically. Some of the physical comedy she was so good at as a large-sized woman isn’t going to be the comedy-gold it once was, so she’s going to have to increase her range.

One less fat star.

Rebel showed that it was possible to be fat and star in movies, make money, and have a fantastic life. She’s on a long list of celebrities like Melissa McCarthy, Adele, and Jennifer Hudson, who were much heavier when they became stars and who had to adjust the type of projects they accepted once they had reached a goal weight.

No one is asking any of our fat celebrities to stay or become fat to represent us. Everyone should have the right to have whatever body they desire or currently have. But it’s fantastic to see characters with all kinds of body shapes and sizes on our screens.

People will gain, lose, or stay the same weight, and it’s none of our business. Our weight isn’t an indication of whether we’re good or bad people. A fat person is just as likely as a thin person to be garbage, but they’re also just as likely to be amazing.

Rebel isn’t a better or worse person because of her weight loss. We’re all worthy no matter what our body size is, and our moral character and values have nothing to do with whether we’re fat or not.

I will continue to support Rebel because she makes me laugh, not because she’s now a blonde bombshell. Celebrating weight-loss feels empty and superficial to me.

Let’s celebrate people’s achievements, their humanity, and their love — not the weight they shed.