Canadian actress and Youtuber Nicole Arbour’s viral video “Dear Fat People,” which critics have labeled as “fat shaming,” has reportedly cost her her job in an upcoming movie.
In a statement to Zap2it, the movie’s director, Pat Mills, explained that “Don’t Talk About Irene” was a “body-positive teen dance movie” and questioned whether Arbour had even read the script.
Mills told the publication that there is a difference between talking about people who are overweight and making “cruel and lame” impositions about a certain demographic. He said:
“[‘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 for six minutes. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I was so upset I was shaking like Shelley DuVall in the ‘The Shining’.”
The director understands the plight of those who are bullied. He said:
“I’m gay. I was bullied a lot as a kid. I am no stranger to ridicule and loneliness.”
Mills furthered that statements like Arbour’s in her video affect the way people live their lives, which is why he created “Don’t Talk to Irene” in the first place. He said:
“[The movie] is about a 16-year-old girl who dreams of being a cheerleader, but she is constantly bullied for being fat. She learns that she doesn’t have to change anything about herself to be awesome because she already is.
“Bullies like Nicole Arbour are the reason I am making this movie. I’m tired of body shaming. It’s everywhere.”
Mills ended his statement with:
“Nicole: Did you even read my script? It is a body positive teen movie. It has a message that is in direct opposition to your cruel and lame YouTube rant. We will not be working together. You are not hired for ‘Don’t Talk to Irene.’ ”
For her part, Arbour seemed to deny that she was ever attached to Mills’ movie in the first place:
I'm not currently, nor have I been attached to any feature films as of late. 😉 #gossip
— Nicole Arbour (@NicoleArbour) September 10, 2015
Whatever the case, Arbour’s video rant serves as an example of exactly what not to do to get a job in the movie industry.
