Rebel Wilson got bashed for claiming she’s the “first-ever plus-sized’ rom-com lead, and her apology only earned her more slams.
Rebel Wilson may want to think carefully before boasting again about what she called her “first-ever plus-sized” rom-com lead status. Twitter turned on Wilson after the 38-year-old actress touted her supposed plus-size claim to fame on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
While on Ellen, Wilson chatted about her lead role in the film, Isn’t It Romantic. In the film, Wilson is a New York woman who, after hitting her head, awakes to find herself in the midst of a romantic comedy styled world. The Australian actress shared her pride in the role, but one specific comment during the interview has led to major social media backlash.
“I’m proud to be the first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy,” the actress informed DeGeneres.
Uh, Rebel, about that claim that you’re the “first-ever plus-sized” romantic comedy star? Twitter is rebelling.
The social media platform quickly filled with users pointing out that plus-sized rom-com stars before Wilson include Queen Latifah in Beauty Shop, Just Wright, and Last Holliday and Mo’Nique in Phat Girlz. Other plus-size stars who paved a path for Wilson as rom-com leads include Melissa McCarthy, Ricki Lake, and Nikki Blonsky.
Wilson did try to apologize. But her quibble only caused Twitter to argue with her some more.
It got even messier, with Wilson allegedly blocking accounts who went against her rom-com lead claims.
So instead of apologizing for being wrong @RebelWilson is blocking Black andPOC women who let her know that she isn’t actually the first plus size lead of a romantic comedy. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/NTxyDqsh0v
— Kimya Dawson (@mrskimyadawson) November 4, 2018
Among all those responding to Wilson’s attempt at an apology? Mo’Nique.
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
It was after this comment that Wilson finally turned around, saw the fire burning, and realized it’s time to apologize — and mean it this time. She first said her sorries to Mo’Nique, expressing that it was never her “intention to erase anyone else’s achievements.”
Wilson then shared a series of tweets acknowledging her faults, noting she’d “neglected to show the proper respect to those who climbed the mountain before me” and she realizes now that what she had claimed was not just wrong but hurtful.
What do you think about the backlash that Rebel Wilson experienced? Share your comments below.