Rooting for Gabby Sidibe: PopEater Readers Are in Her Corner

By The Pop Chorus Posted Mar 19th 2010 07:00AM

PopEater has been steadily tracking the rise of breakthrough talent Gabourey Sidibe from the moment that the first screenings of 'Precious' took place in Sundance last winter. We cheered when Oprah and Tyler Perry stood behind the film, jumped for joy the day Gabby took home an Academy Award nomination and watched proudly as she owned the Oscar red carpet. We've been amazed that people doubted whether her career would take off. Our own Rob Shuter weighed in on Joy Behar's show last week to discuss her next steps. Our audience weighed in with hundreds of comments following Howard Stern's harsh criticisms of her. We then turned it over to our readers to join our growing Pop Chorus to tell us just why Gabby will have future success in Hollywood. Here are some standout opinions:

She Did It by Sylvie Branch
Today, I'll watch Gabourey Sidibe. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have. Five years ago, I wouldn't have. But now, I will. This plus-sized actress and others have transformed my outlook. I have always had an extreme fear of fat, going so far as to starve myself and recklessly abuse my body. My dreams were often shelved until I was thin enough. I'd say to myself, "Once I'm really skinny, then I can be pursue my dreams. Once I hit that magic number, then I'll be successful." Gabby went ahead and followed her dream regardless of the circumference of her thighs. I love this about her. I want her to succeed, for all of us that are so fearful of fat and for all those waiting in the wings until they "lose 20 lbs in 2 days." More From Sylvie on How She Came Around >>>

Thanking Howard Stern For Turning Me on To Gabby by Matthew Wilkening
As a dedicated Howard Stern show listener and someone who thinks most Oprah Winfrey-supported movies are pandering and formulaic, I was very surprised to find myself, just yesterday, rooting for Gabourey Sidibe to have a long, successful career. I understand and agree with Howard's concern over the potential health concerns tied to her weight. But some people can handle extra pounds -- or smoking cigars everyday -- and live long lives. And if she's one of them, more power to her. Matt Knows Gabby Intends To Be Around for a While. Read More of His Thoughts >>>

Her Weight Makes Her Different ... and Special by Erik Luers
We're wrong to be looking at the issue from the standpoint of, "Will Gabby Sidibe get more leading roles in the future?" Rather, let's take a step back and ask ourselves if the success of 'Precious' will inspire more writers to make films about plump African-American women. Forget for a moment about Sidibe getting the roles. Instead, let's talk about whether or not there are any out there for her to get. Screenwriters will be presented with a difficult and risky task, attempting to sell a script to a major studio about a black woman who doesn't fit the traditional model of beautiful. To those screenwriters, I say: Bring it on. Read More From Erik on Hollywood's Challenge with Gabby>>>

Gabby Is 100 Percent Real by Charley Anne Prescott
People are putting so much emphasis on her weight that they are totally disregarding the fact that this young woman almost won an Oscar. Do I need to repeat that? If you know the history of the Academy Awards, Hattie McDaniel was the first black person -- male or female -- to win an Academy Award in 1939 for Best Supporting Actress in 'Gone With the Wind.' She was quite far from being a size 2, and she definitely did not look like Halle Berry. Read More From Charley on Gabby's Similarities with a 'Grey's Anatomy' Star >>>

It's Her Talent That's Huge by Linda Leseman
It's no secret that Gabourey Sidibe gave a heart-wrenching performance of a lifetime in 'Precious.' It's also no secret that her weight could limit the number of roles she's offered in the future. This raises an important question: Do we champion Sidibe's acting career despite the fact that she's a plus-sized woman, because of that fact or regardless of it? She has received accolades for her role in 'Precious' not because she is full-figured, but because she gave an astounding performance. Sidibe's acting abilities should be nurtured and her career allowed to blossom. It's not because she's physically big; it's because her talent is huge. Read More From Linda on the Problem with Curves in Hollywood >>>

Gabby Deserves Our Envy, Not Our Pity by Susan Kayhan
We could all feel sorry for Gabourey Sidibe, but there's really no need. She's talented, young and famous, and let's not forget why you know her name: she's an Oscar-nominated actress, in a category she shared this year with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock. That's nothing to scoff at. Gabourey Sidibe just may be the talent that encourages producers and studios to greenlight more diverse characters and have confidence in casting actresses who don't fit the conventional beauty mold. I'm bored of seeing those kind of movies, roles and actresses. Sidibe is already off to a great start. She's more deserving of our envy than our pity. Read More From Susan on Four Reasons Gabby Will Rule Hollywood >>>

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Comments

(16)

Friday 19 March

By carneyva

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This whole phenomenon has been a cruel and wicked fraud. Sidibe has no acting future because no one will pay to see her. Acting ability? I didn't really see any; after all, eating a whole bucket of fried chicken is not acting. No, the Hollywood phonies have adopted her as their No. 1 freak show act, the flavor of the month, and in five years her name won't even be the answer to a trivia question. Beautiful, talented black actresses such as Halle Berry and Sanaa Lathan cannot get acting jobs, so what future does Sidibe have? What did Hattie McDaniel do after "Gone With the Wind"? Nothing of note. I rest my case. Sidibe needs to take whatever money she's earned, get into a crash weight-loss program, and go to college. That's her best bet.

By Stephanie

Just as I believe that women like Kate Moss set a bad example for girls by being too skinny and unhealthy. I believe that it is extremely reckless to hold Gabby up as a role model. I'm sure she didn't set out to be overweight but now that she has fame and fortune, she should set the example by losing weight and being healthy. If not for herself, then for the people that look up to her. I have not seen the movie yet nor do I plan to. And I doubt that there will be many leading roles calling for an overweight, barely known actress.

By brandi

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yes loving yourself is a bad example. what the hell is her problem? she should not have high self esteem!

By Heather

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Why are you against watching this film? Afraid you might learn a little empathy for people who don't look like you?

By mike coats

the woman is really hard to look at she would be doing herself a favor to lose 150 or so

Sunday 21 March

By Marsha

Because of her wonderful acting ability she has already landed a role on a tv show on Showtime and has been booked for 2 more movies. From the sound of your statement perhaps she would be doing you a favor if she dropped 150 lbs or so. Maybe then, for you, she would be "easier to look at"?

By mikeclint1

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Give the movie a try. It will surprise you. I'm a middle aged white guy and I was surprised at how good it was. Monique deserved an Oscar without question, and you will agree if you see the movie. Gabourey did a good job, but I'm not sure if she deserved a nomination. Since this is her 1st role, and we have never seen her anywhere else, the real question is, Was she playing herself, or was she "acting" like someone else? I don't know enough about her to know the truth. Anyway, give the movie a try. The movie covers some disturbing subjects, but it's a good movie.

By Mia

You go Gabby!!!I loved your role and I think you did a fabulous job! Stop hating people. Juno got an award and no one knew her.

By Pat

Gabourey is overweight true, BUT Howard Sten is ugly, inside and out. Gabourey can lose weight. Howard is stuck with himself.

Saturday 20 March

By Rae

You're so right. If Howard can make it in this business then it's safe to say that anyone stands a chance.He needs to stay behind the radio mic, where we dont have to see him. He is gross & has no right to talk about the way someone else looks. I would much rather look at Gabby than at that man. He is the real pig here!

I find it refreshing to see a plus sze woman in Hollywood with such a great attitude, confidence and spirit. If she does lose weight, she should do it for herself and not just to silence all the haters. And you can be healthy and still weigh more than 105 pounds.

By chip

I was surprised to read that there was any room left in her corner...

By yolanda

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Gaby is more beautiful than anyone of you asses who are saying such cruel things about her. Perhaps some of you may look good on the outside but you are very ugly inside. How many of you can say you were in a movie, nominated for an oscar and went to the oscars. None of you can. I think that if she losses weight it should be for herself not for anyone of you dumb asses. I am more disgusted by people who look like skelatins and taking loads of drugs and behaving like fools in hollywood than anything Gaby is doing or not doing.

By rose

one of my biggest things about her in the movie was you could hardly understand what she was saying.Me and a friend were watching the movie aqnd I kept asking her what she said and she said I don't know either. And if she doesn't loose some weight she will die very young.and why the one who played her mother won the accademy award I will never know.Gabby was in the movie more than her.I thought the movie had to much cussing in it also.

By Melvin

Well i just want to say i think she can act but she should lose weight for health reason we dont want to hear this girl just had a heart attack or died and tell me Oprah is so high on loseing weight why dont she help her with that i think she would look so much better if she would drop some weight

Monday 22 March

By Dino

Hot bacon and burning hair lol

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