Rebel Wilson’s recent comments on the Ellen Degeneres Show have other plus-sized women and allies up in arms. She told DeGeneres last week that her role in the upcoming film Isn’t it Romantic, stars her as, “The first ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy.”
Twitter immediately clapped back, calling out the Pitch Perfect star for trying to erase the contributions of Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique to the genre.
Both have starred in rom-coms. Both are plus-sized women. And both are women of color.
https://twitter.com/Nabela/status/1058568311439536128
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
— FilmFatale_NYC 🇭🇹 🇩🇴 🇺🇸 (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/florababe_/status/1058071999782797313
To add fuel to the fire, Wilson began blocking anyone who called her out.
Watching @RebelWilson block every person who says anything even remotely shady about her ego driven occupation of special space should feel funny but it’s really not
— 🗽Sydette Cosmic Dreaded Gorgon Clydesdale🇬🇾 (@Blackamazon) November 4, 2018
And the follower Wilson did respond to got her in even more trouble. Wilson said the other films were in a “slight grey area” because it’s not confirmed the actresses were plus-sized when filming those movies or if they were actually “billed as a studio rom-com.”
Twitter definitely didn’t see it that way.
Not much grey area. pic.twitter.com/GtAz5a8t8D
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) November 2, 2018
Rebel. Rebel. pic.twitter.com/rPohfQVNZH
— 🍋 Rita 🇵🇸 (@Ritawhoras) November 2, 2018
Then, Mo’Nique herself chimed in, nudging the star to “know the history” before taking credit for it.
Hey my sweet sister. Let’s please not allow this business to erase our talent with giving grey areas and technicalities. Take a moment and know the history. DON’T BE A PART OF ERASING IT. I wish you the best.
— Mo'Nique Worldwide (@moworldwide) November 3, 2018
Wilson responded, saying, “it was never my intention to erase anyone else’s achievements and I adore you and Queen Latifah so so much,” adding “I support all plus size ladies and everything positive we are doing together,” and a heart emoji.
https://twitter.com/RebelWilson/status/1058834882665664513
Wilson’s new film has her starring as a New Yorker trapped in a love triangle between two men, played by Liam Hemsworth and Adam DeVine.