Rebel Wilson sparks fatphobia debate after saying she’s been treated differently since losing weight

Rebel Wilson has spoken about how differently she is being treated since she lost weight.

Over 2020, the Pitch Perfect actor lost 60 pounds as part of a “year of health” and announced that she achieved her goal weight in November.

And in an interview with Australian radio show The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin, she revealed that her weight loss has caused other people to treat her differently.

In the interview, she was asked whether she had changed “as a person”, which she denied.

“I like to think I looked good at all sizes and stuff and I've always been quite confident,” she said. “So it wasn't like I wasn't confident and then now I'm, like, super confident."

She continued by explaining that what had actually changed was how people see her: “I think what's been really interesting to me is how other people treat you. Sometimes being bigger, people didn't necessarily look twice at you. And now that I'm in a good shape, like, people offer to carry my groceries to the car and hold doors open for you. I was like: 'Is this what other people experienced all the time?'"

The interview sparked debate about fatphobia and thin privilege. While some noted that it’s pretty well known that thin people have always received preferential treatment.

Others empathised with how upsetting the experience can be.

As one writer who could relate to Wilson pointed out, the reality of fatphobia is often just being ignored. She added that we can expose everyday fatphobia by “illuminating how invisible or beat down bigger people can be made to feel, as well as the privileges smaller bodies have”.

Even if it’s not an entirely new revelation, speaking out about everyday injustices that the privileged don’t see is still important.

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