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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.

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