“Dear Fat People” is a video created by Nicole Arbour that some have interpreted as a bullying diatribe that emphasizes fat-shaming overweight people. And although she claims to have had positive intentions, “Dear Fat People” instead resulted in a backlash for Nicole. And among the consequences is that Arbour was fired from a movie project, reported People .
With a background that includes working with the Toronto Argonauts cheerleaders, Nicole had been set to serve as the choreographer for a dance movie entitled Don’t Talk to Irene . Pat Mills is the director of the film, which targets anti-bullying.
When Mills viewed the “Dear Fat People” video, however, he says he changed his plan to use Nicole on his movie. Although Arbour and Pat had planned to meet up, he explained that after watching her video, he was horrified.
“[Dear Fat People] made me never want to see her again,” said the movie director.
Mills noted that they had planned to discuss ideas prior to his discovery that her video exists.
“‘Dear Fat People’ is an unfunny and cruel fat-shaming video that guises itself about being about ‘health.’ It’s fat-phobic and awful. It went on for over six minutes. I felt like I had been punched in the gut.”
In addition, Pat revealed that he had been bullied himself growing up.
“I’m gay. I was bullied a lot as a kid. I am no stranger to ridicule and loneliness,” added the director.
But the “Dear Fat People” creator contradicts Pat’s statements that she was associated with the movie. Nicole turned to Twitter to share her denial.
“I’m not currently, nor have I been attached to any feature films as of late,” Arbour tweeted.
In addition, with regard to defending her “ Dear Fat People ” video, Arbour argues that she feels it encouraged others to discuss topics ranging from body image to weight, reported Time .
Nicole also feels it’s healthy to mock others.
“I feel it’s really important that we make fun of everybody. I think [what] brings us together and unites us as people is that we can poke fun at all of us.”
However, what angered many viewers of “Dear Fat People” were her comments directed to overweight people.
“I don’t feel bad for you because you are taking your body for granted,” said Nicole. “What are you going to do, fat people? What are you going to do? You going to chase me? I can get away from you by walking at a reasonable pace.”
Arbour says she wants the video to encourage others to work out and eat right.
But as the Inquisitr reported, My Big Fat Fabulous Life reality TV star Whitney Thore pointed out that many individuals have health conditions that make it particularly challenging to lose weight.
“I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, while PCOS is not the only reason I turned from 130-lb. 18-year-old to an over 300-lb. woman…it is a really big contributing factor. So I’m so glad you’re not talking about me, except you are talking about me because you can’t see a person’s health from looking at them,” noted Whitney.
[Photo by Jag Gundu/Getty Images]
