Is Precious the New Hip?
April 1st 2010 07:03
Is Precious the new Hip? Is it cool to be over, over weight? I wonder. Today, when traveling through Los Angeles, I saw two portly young women walking along the street. One of which was wearing a very tight hooded sweatshirt that hugged her extra bulges around her waist as she pulled a small suitcase with wheels. Her image reminded me of the character “Precious” from the movie. She did not remind me of the character because I saw the movie Precious and I thought it was wonderful. The main character that portrays Precious, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe is excessively overweight. Gabourey was nominated for an Oscar in her first movie. She currently has roles on television and cable. Gabourey is very much in the public eye. Is the, I’m big get over it attitude that Mo'Nique preaches the new thing?
Let’s look back in history regarding this weight issue. Throughout show business overweight people have found their place on the big screen. Usually the big boy or girl is in a comic relief position and we laugh at their over eating obsessive food habits. Ralph Kramden was the loveable fat guy of the Honeymooners. Cartoon character, Wimpy of Popeye was constantly eating. Kirstie Alley participated in the reality television show Fat Actress. Numerous actors and actresses experience yo-yo weight loss and gain.
During the Oscars ceremony Gabourey cried like a baby as Oprah poured sincerities over her work and character. In the back of my mind, I was thinking is Oprah at some time, going to talk to her about her weight. She is a very overweight young woman. At this rate she could be dead in a few years.
Remember the phenomenon the Fat Boys. The gimmick with the Fat Boys group is they were fat! It was the selling point for the group. Fatter the better, right? Thin gorgeous women flocked themselves all over them as they rapped and sang in colorful hip-hop style. The Fat Boys even made a movie, Disorderlies (1987). One of Fat Boys, Darren Robinson a.k.a. "The Human Beat Box" died at 28 years old as a direct result of his obesity.
Was it hip in the 80’s for The Fat Boys to be so obese? I wonder if anyone said, guys you have done great now loose some weight so you can enjoy your lives. Or were these overweight young men encouraged not to loose too much weight because people were introduced to their present image. Is it true for Gabourey as well? She’s doing well. The Fat Boys were doing well. Why rock the boat? Ride it out while people are admiring you. You can loose weight later.
Van Gogh says, “Society makes our existence wretchedly difficult at times … I myself am suffering under the absolute lack of models.” in Alice Walker’s Saving The Life That is your Own: The Importance of Models in The Artist Life.
All of us are suffering under the absolute lack of models yet, according to Van Gogh the artist suffers more. I think Van Gogh is right, the artists need models. The Fat Boys were a model for people in society in the 80’s. Oprah is a model in many areas. John Candy, a comedian, was funny and a model to some. Kristie Alley, a talented actress is a model for some people. Janet Jackson is a model for some people. All of these people are in the public eye and their weight is worth dollar signs depending if they keep it on or take it off. Is the “Precious” look the new hip, I don’t know? I hope not. I sure do not want to see another sad case of Darren Robinson or John Candy like deaths. Nor do we need another celebrity in the limelight that does not know how to physically and emotionally take care.
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