Yesterday, Rebel Wilson has debuted the trailer for her upcoming rom-com “Isn’t It Romantic”, a romantic comedy spoof featuring every rom-com cliches you can imagine.
To promote her upcoming movie, Rebel appeared on “The Ellen Show” for the its Halloween special to talk about her role in the movie, and she mentioned something that has pissed off the community on Twitterverse.
Rebel who is also producing the movie said, “I’m kind of proud to be the first ever plus-size girl, to be the star of a romantic comedy.”
But the problem is, she isn’t. Upon seeing her claim, the people on Twitter rise to remind the “Pitch Perfect” actress that she is not the 1st plus-size girl to do so. Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique were there before her.
https://twitter.com/Nabela/status/1057818468710576129
Don’t get me wrong – there aren’t nearly enough fat and plus-size actresses cast as romantic leads but that statement from Rebel Wilson – issa no. pic.twitter.com/32x3n6izYx
— FilmFatale_NYC 🇭🇹 🇩🇴 🇺🇸 (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 1, 2018
Oh we just ignoring the string of films Queen Latifah did where she cast herself opposite every fine black man imaginable? Don't get me wrong, her movie looks cute but what we're not going to do is erase a romcom pioneer. https://t.co/mcDnpLwnsS
— vengeful slut 🏳️🌈🇹🇹🪩✨ (@battymamzelle) November 1, 2018
Here we have another example of the work of black women who did it first being erased. Queen Latifah and Mo'Nique both starred in romantic comedies. https://t.co/KxV2vYi8VH
— first of all, bitch, … (Yeah Mo!) (@thejournalista) November 1, 2018
Though it is nice that the movie is trying to highlight the lack of plus-size protagonists in Hollywood rom-com movies, Rebel proclaiming that she is the 1st one to break the stereotype is not something that Twitter users can accept as it is seem as though she is erasing the accomplishments made by people of colour.
After receiving so many criticisms on Twitter, Rebel responded, “Hey girl! Yeah I of course know of these movies but it was questionable as to whether: 1. Technically those actresses were plus size when filming those movies or 2. Technically those films are categorised/billed as a studio rom-com with a sole lead. So there’s a slight grey area.”
Nevertheless, Rebel said she is opened to criticisms and takes it all in positively, “I fully take all the comments onboard though so thank you”.
Set to be released on Valentine’s Day 2019, Rebel will be acting opposite Liam Hemsworth and her “Pitch Perfect” co-star Adam DeVine.
In the movie, Rebel plays a cynical woman named Natalie who one day finds herself stuck in a PG-13 romantic comedy and caught between 2 love interests played by the 2 aforementioned actors.
