Why America Hates 'Fatties' More Than Druggies

By Jo Piazza Posted Feb 26th 2010 11:35AM

Kelly Osbourne looks super-slim and sexy on the latest cover of US Weekly. The rock spawn and former reality TV star says she got more flak for being overweight than for being a "raging drug addict." We aren't surprised. In the Hollywood hierarchy of sin, fat is up there on the list of no-nos along with being a bad mom, being a boring interview or dating John Mayer. Drug addicts get the glory, attention and sympathy while little Miss Fattie Pants has to hope some diet company will offer her big bucks to slim down on their product, pray for results and then appear scantily clad on the cover of a magazine (we're looking at you Valerie Bertinelli!). What's the root cause of this discrimination? We here at PopEater think the problem is threefold -- our explanation is after the jump.

1. Fat is seen as a choice. For many, being fat is viewed as a self-control problem. A fat person is someone who let themselves go, didn't work out or is lazy, whereas drug addiction is viewed as a disease. Case in point: The contestants on 'The Biggest Loser' have to work their gigantic butts off to win the show while the folks on 'Celebrity Rehab' are treated with kid gloves and given rewards for not shooting up heroin in the bathroom.

"Even Jessica Simpson can wear the wrong pair of jeans one day and be criticized across the country," says StyleList's Marissa Gold. "Whether it's for health or aesthetic reasons or both, no one wants to be fat," Gold adds.

2. Americans are self-loathing. We're a country of fatties. There are way more obese people than cocaine addicts who turn their lives into the subject matter of reality TV shows like 'The Osbournes.'

"Most well-adjusted people don't have a snowball's chance in hell of becoming actual drug addicts," says style guru Nadine Haobsh. "Sure druggie people smell, are out of control and make nonsensical choices that the rest of us find uncomfortable, like trying to be Creative Director for Emanuel Ungaro," adds Haobsh. "But fat people, well, we're all just one breakup or lost job away from cold comfort in the (un)forgiving arms of Domino's or Krispy Kreme. Americans hate fat people because, unlike that glossy celebrity who consumes 8 calories per day and is a secret smackhead, they really are just like us. Only with less willpower and bigger thighs. And that's terrifying."

Americans tend to be harder on the people who reflect their own weaknesses, so they hate-on the bigguns more. "It's strange. Americans are fat, but they have an aversion to fat people more so than drug addicts," says comedy writer and social commentator Caroline Waxler. "Not surprising -- drug addicts are thin! And usually very glamorous," adds Waxler. "They have the smoky eye thing nailed down, without makeup! And, please, who wants to hang out with a bunch of fat people? They might want want some of my Dunkin' Donuts and drug addicts are too busy smoking crack to put their hands in my box of Glazed Munchkins."

3. Fat is front and center. Unlike addiction, which can go undetected for years, fat is a very obvious flaw. "Food takes a more immediate toll on the physical body and what is Hollywood if not a solely an outward-appearance-oriented microcosm of society," explains psychologist Cooper Lawrence. "While addiction has been glamorized, fat people are seen as having no control over what they put in their lazy mouths. It's 'sex, drugs and rock & roll', not 'sex, donuts and rock & roll.'"

Regardless of what you believe, thin is in, fat is out, and addiction, though not preferred, is just one more way for the once-famous to reclaim fame and stardom after years on the rails. Hollywood, Hollywood, you're so vain...

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Kelly Osbourne Pics

Kelly Osbourne backstage at G-Star Raw Presents NY Raw Fall/Winter 2010 Collection at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 16 in New York. More Kelly Osbourne photos >>

Getty Images for G-Star

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Kelly Osbourne Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Kelly Osbourne backstage at G-Star Raw Presents NY Raw Fall/Winter 2010 Collection at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 16, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for G-Star) *** Local Caption *** Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Kelly Osbourne and guest attend G-Star Raw Presents NY Raw Fall/Winter 2010 Collection dinner at STK on February 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for G-Star) *** Local Caption *** Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Kelly Osbourne and jewelry designer Brooke Dulien attend G-Star Raw Presents NY Raw Fall/Winter 2010 Collection dinner at STK on February 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for G-Star) *** Local Caption *** Kelly Osbourne;Brooke Dulien

Kelly Osbourne Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Actress Mena Suvari, Kelly Osbourne and jewelry designer Brooke Dulien attend G-Star Raw Presents NY Raw Fall/Winter 2010 Collection dinner at STK on February 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for G-Star) *** Local Caption *** Mena Suvari;Kelly Osbourne;Brooke Dulien

Kelly Osbourne Snapshots

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Mena Suvari and Kelly Osbourne attend G-Star Raw Presents NY Raw Fall/Winter 2010 Collection dinner at STK on February 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for G-Star) *** Local Caption *** Mena Suvari;Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne Snapshots

Tags: jessica simpson, kelly osbourne

Comments

(33)

Friday 26 February

By Michele

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I think Valerie B. looks great! So much so that I joined Jenny as a gift to myself for my 50th bd. I started in September and I have lost a total of 48lbs so far! Valerie inspired me and I will never forget that. Thanks so much Valerie and Jenny Craig.

By jbones

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Just because someone loses weight dosen't mean their pretty.This girl is classless and shoud not be glorified in any way she's still a pig!!!

By llednez

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

LOL, jealous much? And learn how to spell properly.

By bob

fat people are disgusting

Monday 01 March

By Elizabeth

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And you're a prick (and you've probably got a small one at that).

By leo

No more then that statment. Pepole like u are a sad example of the human race

By JBaer

People who judge others by their numbers disgust me.

Saturday 27 February

By Joanna Casteel

I know this isn't nice but I hate watching fat people eat and I know that it isn't nice of me to feel that way.

By Fred

Hollywood.........sh*t, those people are the last ones that should be throwing stones at big folks. The so called, fatties are running the gear that God gave them. The stone throwers are being rebuilt and overhauled and overboobed every day. Who's more honest?
Ever date a big girl? Nicest people in the world.

By Adrian D.

Thank you for stating a fact that no one usually talks about-that Americans are projecting when they hate on large people. As a large person myself, I will also say to you that your statement, "Regardless of what you believe, thin is in, fat is out..." well, lemme tell you something: I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO CHANGE THIS STEREOTYPE. Hollywood does not decide everything! In the past year, my life has been amazing. I've had some incredible experiences and achievements all while weighing 300 pounds. Your statement seems to imply that this stereotype is not going to change. Well, I am not going to sit by and let people treat me like a second class citizen. I will continue to live my life, have awesome sex, pursue and live my dreams regardless the size of my body! I will not just shrug my shoulders, sit down, cry and eat a donut. I'll be out kicking ass, maybe with a donut in hand, maybe not, depends on the day and my mood. Large people-we are human beings and many may not acknowledge that, but those many do not decide who I am!!! I DO!

Wednesday 14 July

By Jazz

AMEN!...I'm a bigger person also!..and I agree...

By nikki

i am big. very big. and i do not choose to be this way. i think most people who judge and make fun of big people r really unhappy in thier life so they feel the need to make someone else unhappy about themselves. some people view biggies as ugly. well most r beautiful even if thier bodys r not. a small person can be really hateful just because they think they r better. and the sex is way better. big women can get in almost all positions and any man i have ever been with said it felt better. cause lets face it we have more meat to surround them. i am married and my husband is very handsome. i hate when we r in public and a skinny woman looks at me like to ask 'what is he doing with u'. well just ask.he will tell u.

By chad

Can someone tell me why all these internet articles say "after the jump". What the hell is that supposed to mean?

By Sharon

Please, Kelly was SO photoshopped on that cover. And, don't get me wrong, after watching her on DWTS, I loved her. And she did lose weight - but NOT that much. And how pathetic that we're harder on heavy people than we are on drug addicts. Somebody somewhere has their priorities ALL wrong.

By gs

i am fat - i have no problem with you hating me - please don't cancel my health insurance and i will stay inside so you don't have to see me

By chuckie

Typical of our liberal attitudes and oh, so typical of the "entertainment' crowd that so many people are obsessed with. A skinny junkie is still just a skinny junkie.
We seem to glorify the worst dregs of our society, don't we?

By Rina

I'm not fat or skinny and really one way or another who cares we all share the same planet and bleed red blood so who's anyone to judge anyone who cares, if you are happy more power to you!

By Shannon

I think their is a mutual hate. Some "big girls" get on threads like this and celebrate their curves (which is great!) but then they badmouth skinny girls (BAD BAD BAD!)You are just as bad as the skinny girls who hate on fat girls. I think there is a specific "healthy" body that is different for everybody. For one girl it may be a size 12 and for another girl it might be size 2, and it's not fair to judge saying that the bigger girl eats twinkies or doesn't work out or the smaller girl doesn't eat at all. Regardless of our weight, we could all probably stand to eat a healthier diet and take more exercise, we all know America isn't exactly known for their healthy diet or active lifestyle.

I meant to say "fat girls" meaning that is what skinny girls would say so please nobody get offended.

By grubb

It seems to me that if there are mandatory drug tests in the workplace, and if fat people get to keep their jobs this article might be off target.

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