Skip to main content

Gabourey Sidibe Will Never Work Again

Yesterday Howard Stern got into quite a bit of trouble for going on the air and saying that Gabourey Sidibe, the Oscar-nominated star of "Precious" will never work again.

So that you don't think this is me coming out in defense of Howard Stern, I found it distasteful (but really, this is Howard Stern we're talking about) that he made comments about her weight.

That being said, I think he was absolutely right.

This girl has peaked.

Not because she's not talented, but because she's an overweight African-American girl in Hollywood. I think we all know the odds there.

E! Online mentioned that Sidibe is already working on a Showtime drama starring Laura Linney, but if anyone's wondering when her next big movie role is, I think you're going to be waiting for a long time.

People are attacking Stern for his comments, but they're not bringing up the white elephant in the room--the truth.

Normally, when a woman is nominated for Best Lead Actress for her film debut, she's stepping over offers left and right.

Now it's possible that Sidibe is working on her television show, and so hasn't been able to commit to another project yet...but let's be honest, I think that's doubtful.

She's had to dodge questions about future movies on countless television shows.

In comparison, the lovely Carey Mulligan, also nominated for her film debut in "An Education" this year, is dating Shia Labeouf and starring in the "Wall Street" sequel coming out this spring.

Rather than rail against Stern, why don't producers prove him wrong and hire the girl?

Because there simply aren't roles for her, that's why.

It's become a sad tradition among African-American Academy Award winners that they tend to fade out of sight once they win. Yes, there are exceptions (Denzel Washington comes to mind) but think of all the stars who received a nomination or award and then never made it back to the red carpet.

Halle Berry hasn't been able to match her Monster's Ball acclaim. Jennifer Hudson settled for small roles in "Sex and the City" and "The Secret Life of Bees." Forrest Whitaker turned in a revelatory performance in "The Last King of Scotland" and then did a guest spot on "E.R."

It's not uncommon for people to go into professional paralysis after receiving such a high honor. All of the people I just listed took a few steps back in their careers after the Oscars, but Sidibe's career doesn't seem to be going anywhere at all.

This is because on top of being in a Hollywood minority, she's also overweight. Like it or not, nobody's tripping over themselves to write movies for overweight, African-American girls.

I give Howard Stern credit for at least pointing out that it's ridiculous to have a bunch of celebrities who weigh eight pounds stand onstage at the Oscars and say Sidibe has a long, A-list career ahead of her.

That being said, I'd still like to see Hollywood prove him wrong.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A List of People Who Can Go to Hell Now That I Can't Have Elizabeth Warren

So today was a rough day for everybody who isn't a @#$%-ing #$%hole. Let's just start there. If that upsets you, by all means, go straight to hell. This entire rant is going to be exactly what it sounds like. I am mad and I am going to exercise my right to BLOG ABOUT IT LIKE IT'S 1995, SO BUCKLE UP, BUTTERCUP. I really don't even know where to start, so let's just jump right in with the first person who comes to mind. Bloomberg, go to hell.  You really didn't have anything specific to do with today, but you can just go to hell for spending an ungodly amount of money on literally nothing.  I mean, you could have lit millions of dollars on fire and at least warmed the hands of the homeless, but instead, you made tv stations across the country that are already owned by Conservatives rich, so kudos to you and go to hell. Amy Klobuchar, I STUCK UP FOR YOU AMY.  I got into FIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA while DEFENDING your sorry, self-interested ass.  You know ...

Theater and the Outbreak

After last week's interview, a representative from a theater that recently experienced the results of opening too soon reached out to speak with me. I want to thank this person for coming forward in the hopes that it'll change some minds about what's safe and what isn't when it comes to the performing arts. Here's the interview: ME:  So this wasn't a full production or-- THEM:  No. It was us trying to do a little something for friends and donors. ME:  Who is 'us?' THEM:  The board of _____. ME:  And how long have you been on the board? THEM:  Three years. ME:  What was this going to be? THEM:  There's a, uh, beautiful park here in town, and we wanted to do an outdoor performance of a Shakespeare as a benefit, because, as you know, theaters are having a hard time right now paying the bills. We checked with the local government and the health department for the state to make sure we were doing everything the way we needed to in order to keep everyon...

Theater and The Big Bad Wolf

My conversation today is unique in that it's with someone I had never spoken to until the time came to do this interview.  If you read last week's conversation, you know that this person was referred to me.  They are a theater artist with a long career and impressive resume who has since decided to leave their respective theater community. Here's the interview: ME:  I feel so liberated talking to you already because you're from so far away. THEM:  Canada's not that far away. ME:  You're my first international conversation. THEM:  I feel like I have to represent all of my country right now. ME:  You do.  You really do. THEM:  I've been preparing for this my whole life. ME:  You were--I don't know if the word should be 'referred,' but someone said--You need to talk to so-and-so, and here we are. THEM:  Here we are. ME:  Now, your story is one I think we've heard a lot, but what was interesting to me in the con...