Whitney Thompson is, to date, the only plus size winner of America’s Next Top Model. Cycle 10, B.A.
(Before Angelea.)
Unlike many ANTM winners, Whitney has done anything but fall off the radar… or marry a Brady.
Thompson has been a working plus size model signed with Wilhelmina, was the 2010 Ambassador to the National Eating Disorder Association, involved in the Love Your Body & NOH8 campaigns, and has started her own line of jewelry and candles.
Color me impressed? Absolutely.
When I came across a news story claiming Whitney’s ad had been banned from the Super Bowl, I was outraged.
Was this a repeat of the 2010 Lane Bryant debacle, where ABC and FOX foolishly banned the commercial for the retailer’s Cacique line of plus size lingerie because they claimed it was too sexy?
Where are my outrage panties, because I’m about to be outraged, y’all.
So I dug deeper.
Thompson recently launched a dating site geared specifically toward plus-size women, The Big and The Beautiful. Thompson claims to have created the site so that a curvy woman can feel free to be herself and post pictures, knowing full well the men on the site are there “for — not in spite of — her physical attributes.”
Ahem, okay. This whole plus dating thing hasn’t sat well with me since FOX’s ill birthed More to Love, featuring a plus-size man deciding, The Bachelor-style, between a group of plus-size women.
Why can’t the general population date the general population, regardless of size?
I mean, I’m way more plus-size than my husband, but he found me just wandering around with the regular-sized people, and just up and agreed to marry me, anyway.
Thompson making a place for curvy women to feel comfortable is great, but at the expense of sidelining equality and acceptance among women of all sizes makes me squeamish.
So, the ad for The Big and The Beautiful was nixed, and Thompson is crying foul. Is the NFL size-ist?
Watch the commercial below and judge for yourself.
While no one can know for sure why the NFL rejected the ad, if I had to take a guess, I would say because it’s, well, horribly shot and horribly offensive to women, all women.
Is that the message we want to put out into the world? Attractive douche bags in suits are tired of picking up thin and sexually experienced women on the normal-sized person dating sites, so now they’ll do their lady banging shopping on a site specializing in curvy women who… by obvious definition are not as sexually experienced… because we’re unattractive… or we’re secretly horny if only someone would pay attention to us…. or we’re the only option because all the skinny girls are in comas… or um… honestly, somebody stop me when any of this makes sense.
I’m all for lifting up women and empowering them to love their bodies, but to me, this is an abuse of size discrimination to drum up some buzz for, what equates to, a fetish site.
Frankly, I will be happy for women and teens not to see this ad during the Super Bowl. Now, what can we do about those ridiculous GoDaddy commercials?
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
WTH? I was excited to watch that clip, expecting something completely different. That was a hot mess and completely offensive.
I’m a little torn with this one. Part of me wants to skip right over to that site; I haven’t had a date in nearly 5 years, and I believe that it’s mostly due to my weight, and how I feel about myself. Another part wonders if the guys that are there are those “chubby chaser” types, which make me want to throw up and punch someone.
In the end, I think you’re right. There’s enough fat vs skinny hate out there, and I think it needs to stop.
I usually try hard to not be offended by this kind of stuff and try to give the benefit of the doubt but this is ridiculous. I don’t think there is a type of woman that this doesn’t offend. And I don’t think this should be considered a dating site because, going by the ad alone, this is purely a fetish site for when your “skinny” girlfriend is in a coma (really, a coma!?).
I agree, the fat versus skinny and “lets all be separate” theory has got to GO. That said, since we are talking about Superbowl commercials I think I’d much rather see this one then the graphic anti-aboriton ads that will run in 8 markets and are paid for by a “Democratic presidential candidate” who put his name on the ballot in a few states in order to get his graphic political advertisements aired under a “federal campaign advertisement” loophole.
Oy. Vey. Talk about inappropriate content for the Superbowl. I’d rather see GoDaddy commericals than that, which is saying a LOT.
“anti-abortion” – bad typo, sorry about that
I believe the problem is the ass cheek view. I mean, really, not necessary.
It sucks that she’s using the ban to say it’s against real women when in reality so many other things actually are. She’s ruining the argument.
“I’m sick of these women who are too skinny and too sexually experienced. I want a real woman.”
Does anyone else have a problem with this statement?????????
I don’t have *A* problem with it. I have about five.
I’m an itty bitty girl, and I take offense to that. Huge offense. I’m small because it’s in my genes; I WISH I had some curves, but it’s not in the cards for me. And, let’s just say it, “sexually experienced” = easy. Loose. Slutty. And that’s basically saying thin women are the only ones who are desirable to most men. This outrages me.
Turn the statement around: “I’m sick of these women who are *too heavy* and too sexually *inexperienced*. I want a *thin, sexually experienced woman*.”
Um…that would NEVER, EVER fly. So why should this?
What Kristen said.
I have about a million problems with it.
Lots of problems with that statement. And then to follow it up with the “Cherry?” Am I the only one that took that as a dig that all “big” women must be virgins? Like these men would be doing them a favor?
Ugh. I tend not to get all up-in-arms about these kind of controversial topics but I, for one, agree with this being banned from the Super Bowl. This ad is offensive to ALL women.
I feel like it’s very much a fetish thing. Also, think about it – if there was a site that was specifically a “skinny women only” dating site, there would be ALL SORTS of outrage. It’s discriminatory, and it would be booted in a heartbeat. I agree with Daisy – the “us vs. them” needs to STOP.
Um.. Er… WTF was that?!?!?!?!
I think that a plus size dating site is not that bad an idea, but the way they are advertising it really does make it look like a pathetic erotica site, not a site where curvy women can go, feel COMFORTABLE, and find real, normal men to date. It seems like a place that douche bags will go to bring their thong wearing skinny coma girl friends to have a three some with the new curvy virgin/cherry (because gee, I guess curvy girls must be virgins? What was THAT!) girls who like to get skanky in elevators!
That even confused me, which is pretty clear that the ad is just bad, because weird confusing things are usually OK with me, but that just left a bad taste in my curvy girl mouth!
I think the reason the ad was nixed was because its an amateur commercial wanting to be run during the most professional commercial time of the entire year. It belongs on the porch — it can’t run with the big dogs.
This isn’t about size, its about professionalism.
Not that I’m defending this ad — it’s absolutely ridiculous — but I have no problem pro-curvy dating sites. My brother met his lady on one and I think it’s great. He has a preference, she meets that preference and the site made it easy to find each other. And let’s be honest. Outside of a site like that, most curvy women would be feel like they had to “explain” their weight, in some way — to justify their size, apologize for it or imply they’re “working” on it. On a pro-curvy site, there’s no apology. In fact, it’s an asset! I’m all for that sort of freedom.
I get her initial point, and regardless of the fact that I disagree with it, I totally understand the goal. I also have no doubt some women may be down with this for sure, especially in terms of comfort level.
I would just rather see women of any size being comfortable on any dating site, and just ridding society of the prejudice all together.
You know, so I won’t be a plus size woman, I’ll just be…a woman.
Those dating sites aren’t created by “the man” in order to ghetto-ize plus-size ladies. It’s created by plus size women to give them a place to be themselves without apology. One might say the exact same thing about curvygirlguide.com. THIS site is tailored to women who are curvy. There’s no difference. We all know and understand that the “ideal” scenario is that one day, we’ll be catered to on everyday sites — without prejudice. But today, there is a huge void… and your site is helping to fill it (which I think is fantastic in exactly the same way).
Like I said, I totally get what Whitney may have had in mind creating the basic premise for that site, however, every inch of that premise was lost in that commercial.
It went from being a place where women were supposed to be empowered and comfortable, to a place skeevy guys went to look for REAL unexpereinced women.
And that, unlike the positive work I try to do here on CGG for ALL women, is just, well gross, and her reaction to the the banning is such a gross abuse of the cause.
So I get and love what you are saying, even though I am not a huge fan of the dating thing, but I am more disgusted by someone who truly has put herself out there as a representative to curvier women.
Like I said — the ad is ridick. My comments are about curvy dating sites only. Not about the horrible advertising or the ANTM chick as a rep.
Absolutely with you on this.
WTF message is “our” representative sending with this piece of crap? I am disappointed, to say the least.
As for the “Go, Daddy” spots, let’s work hard on figuring how the hell to make those offensive things go the hell away forever!
When I read your comment on facebook that said, “Very little offends me (obviously), but this pisses me off. Tyra is ASHAMED” I thought you were gonna be ashamed that the ad was pulled…so then I started reading the article and I was confused, then I watched the video and was like, “Did this asshole really just say heavier women are less sexually experienced??” And I was all fired up…then I continued reading. This is a terribly offensive to me too…and I get called a “fat bitch” daily at work. I’m glad it was pulled, and I kinda hope her website fails for thinking its acceptable to seclude heavier women from the general population. She’s actually a douche
I agree. I just don’t get the need to separate women based on size to a different dating site.
So any guy who “feels” like dating a curvy girl that day can find them more easily?
Are we branded now?
After watching that promo, I don’t effin’ BLAME the NFL for banning it. It’s God-awful! Cute play on words, but seriously, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with big women finding love on this new website. Awful, awful, awful.
Here’s the REAL question… if they want to be “so careful” about what they air after the halftime show Janet Jackson boob incident, where the hell was their banning vote with the Kim Kardashian sketchy Skechers video last year, where she appeared to be having sex with her trainer for the commercial? They need to be more uniform in their decisions of what is “too much” or not.
Okay. So.
I’m going to go out on a limb and share a opinion that is not always so popular. Which is that not only is this ad offensive to Curvy Girls, but thin ones as well.
Growing up, I was always stick thin (this is the part where other women make mean faces and play the Tiny Violin). BECAUSE I was stick thin, women would make horrible comments such as “Girl, look at those chicken legs” or “don’t you ever eat?!”
The fact was, I DID eat. But chicken leggedness was just my body type, I guess, and people had no qualms about letting me know how they felt about it. It honestly gave me such a complex that I wouldn’t even wear shorts anymore, and hated eating in public because I was worried that people would comment if I got too full to finish my meal (NO WONDER you’re so thin).
My point is this: The world is full of different body types. Naturally curvy, naturally thin, naturally tall, naturally short. All beautiful, in my opinion, and none less worthy of kindness and appreciation. All women struggle with body issues, regardless of what that issue is.
UNFORTUNATELY, the media is set on (once again) pitting women against each other. Curvy versus thin. Which is ridiculous. As a thin woman, I have friends of ALL sizes and love them all. I would never EVER look at one of them and think “wow, they need to be in a WHOLE different dating pool than me”. I mean, that is just offensive to my sensibilities as a human being.
This commercial is not only saying that curvy women are inexperienced, it’s also saying that thin women are sluts. Disgusting.
How about a commercial that shows women of ALL SIZES loving each other for who they are, and supporting each other? Not thin girls talking down to curvy ones, and curvy ones telling thin girls to go eat something. THAT is a commercial I’d LOVE to see!!
No, that is EXACTLY my point. This commercial is offensive to ALL women.
Period.
This. I love this long time. So hard.
I’m an itty-bitty, too.
“Why don’t you eat a sandwich once in a while?”
“Look at you! You’re skin and bones!”
“Why did you do your makeup? We could’ve gotten you into the movie for the child price!” (I’m 21…without makeup, with my body type, I look like I’m 12.)
“Why don’t you take some of my fat. You need some more meat on you.” (I get that one from my coworkers – all female nurses – all. the. time.)
Not to mention that in my scrubs, my body makes me look like I’m a middle school-aged boy!! I feel like I don’t even look like a woman sometimes! I so envy curvy women.
It’s so disheartening that women are being separated into categories like this…and then compared to each other. This mentality needs to stop.
I have been on both sides of it, Kristen. From the time I was a kid until I was 17, I was 5’11” and weighed 140 lbs. Which meant no curves, no hips, no boobs and a very thin girl. I was teased all the time. Boys asked me why I even bothered with a bra, they would hand me bandaids to use instead. I was called carpenter’s dream more times than I can remember. Toothpick, stick girl, and a few other choice words. Once a boy told me that he had found me the perfect pillow for my scrawny neck and threw an opened tampon at me.
And then I had the kids, got sick, had to go on drugs, got well, got sicker and gained a shit-ton of weight. Now I am still as tall as I was, but I weigh 193 lbs (yes, I am owning this) and even though I still struggle (and have been called names from the other end of the spectrum occasionally) I am generally happier about myself now.
I’ll tell you though, I would trade feeling better now and take all the insults in the world if it meant my daughters could go through their teenage years without being teased.
There’s also the portion where forcibly grabbing the woman in the elevator and kissing her when she clearly doesn’t want you to (indicated by the pulling away and the follow up slap), will lead to an awesome make-out session once she realizes how turned on she is.
Because, after all, “no” really just means “try harder”
Wow. So much offensive material in such a small amount of time.
The bottom line for me is this: That disgusting piece of crap commercial doesn’t line up with their pretty little mission statement. You can’t tell women that it’s a site where they can feel free to be themselves, while at the same time trying to lure in men who have a fetish about plus-sized women, and want to try something new while their skinny girlfriends are all in comas.
I think this had the potential to be something positive, but they blew it, and unless they completely revamp their marketing strategy I don’t see this becoming anything that curvy girls will turn to when looking for real love.
Wow. My brain just literally got up, packed my optic nerves, and took a plane to Antarctica. It was that offended.
“Like”
I figure either far-side of the pendulum is pad: the “only skin is sexy” is equally offensive to “women must have curves to be sexy”.
Because it reduces us to appearance=worth. Yes, plus-sized-model, YOU are perpetuating the same crap that the rest of the media perpetuates: your worth as a woman, mate, sexual being, etc….. is wrapped up in your looks. You should be ashamed of yourself for being a spokesperson for an eating disorder campaign and then putting on national tv that a body defines sexiness.
Proofread, Lesley!!!
Either side is “bad” and “only skinny is sexy”.
I agree, either side is bad.
As someone who has felt represented by the beauty and fashion industry, um, NEVER, trust me, I get the downside to beauty equaling worth.
And while you are free to agree or disagree, it is important for me to get all women represented in these industries, because as adults, it’s easy for us to sit back and realize the futility of it all, but as a young girl or teen, it just isn’t that easy. The bullying, self esteem, depression, suicide, etc…it’s all very real.
I want seeing someone who looks like ME or YOU or THAT GIRL OVER THERE to be what normal is. To be what beauty is.
And OMG do I agree with you, what a slap in the face to the campaigns she spearheaded to put out such and offensive commercial.
That’s just a really bad commercial all the way around. I’m sure another marketing company could have made BBW’s seem MUCH better!
Wow, I really liked Whitney. And back when I used to watch the show with my daughters, I rooted for her. Now she has just dropped a whole bunch of notches for me. Kind of like finding out that celebrities I like/wanna hang out with are scientologists. They just fall off the pedestal for me after that.
This commercial is soooo bad. Offensive for all the reasons stated above, but also poorly acted, poorly written, and poorly edited. It looks like something a group of high-schoolers put together, and the message is about that immature as well.
It also gives the impression that curvy girls are desperate enough to date a man who is already with someone.
Sheesh.
I think that this highlights the problem with “normal-sized” girls being called plus-sized models. While I’m sure she faces discrimination in the fantasy world of fashion, it simply doesn’t translate to the real world.
The struggles I face in the dating world (on or offline) are not that men prefer skinny girls, it’s that fat is fetishized and, frankly, I’m not fat *enough* to be a fetish. I stay away from plus-sized dating sites because they’re not looking for me, even those few who might be looking for a relationship instead of a one-night stand.
Instead, you have this so-called plus size community that is completely out of touch with the actual issues that plus-sized gals face, and they probably don’t even realize how out of touch they are. Let’s start talking about that instead of about how Whitney is a bad person or how this is a bad idea. It’s a fundamental disconnect that is well-illustrated by what a size 12 woman thinks the community she supposedly represents wants from men and dating. She’s not only wrong, she’s not a part of my community. Why then, does she speak for and represent me?
I think you answered your own question, she doesn’t.
So you can either sit there and let these women on tv and in magazines and on billboards tell you what plus size looks like and feels like and is worth, or you can stand up and use your voice to tell them they are wrong.
Make noise. Lots of it.
It’s really…weird. Like, confusing. I like the part where the girl slaps the guy though…
This ad is ridiculous, and the whole “controversy” seems manufactured to give the site it advertises some press it wouldn’t get otherwise. They knew this ad wouldn’t fly, they probably put the butt cheek shot in just to save themselves the money it would cost to actually run the ad.
I agree with everything that has been said here, but especially that it’s offensive to think that you can know anything about a woman’s “sexual experience” by her size alone. The whole thing stinks. If this is how the dating site wants to portray itself, I hope that “The Big and the Beautiful” (ugh!) stay the heck away from it, too, because the message this sends is “Come here to cheat on your girlfriend, because these fat girls are desperate.”
Everything about this was bad. It’s offensive to everyone, everywhere. Blech. I don’t care why they chose to ban it but I’m glad they did. One view of that rear end and everything awful in this commercial was too many in this life time.
what an awful commercial! sooo offensive, poorly written and the acting is horrible is well. ugh!!
So. Totally. Offended.
Whitney – I am so sorry for you. Wow. Whoa.
Horrible ad. Gross, actually.
This ad is the kind of media that perpetuates sexism and discrimination toward women amongst men. While the message it sends to women is blatantly offensive , the message it sends about men is equally vile!
This ad objectifies ALL women, and implies that men are after one thing. It is the poorest misrepresentation of both genders regardless of their body shape or size. This sends young women the message that it’s ok to put up with sexual discrimination, mistreatment or objectification and tells young men that it is ok to subject women to these things.
This can be added to the myriad of reasons as to why gorgeous curvy girls are “left on the shelf” prowling dating sites as a last resort, because we live in a society where the portrayal of what we are to look for in a partner is skewed out of shape by the mass media, it’s not all about looks and sex! Are the curvy girls who are “desperate and dateless” supposed to put up with the jerk that is cheating on his comatose spouse? Are men allowed to objectify women based on their sexual experience (since when was being sexually experienced a bad thing??) or for their size? No wonder so many girls are asking where all the nice guys are…they are back in the “friend department” where you left them…
Oh, but it’s not your fault, the media has told you that misogynistic creeps in suits make good partners!
Firstly, as a filmmaker…that was so badly filmed I could do better with a Flip camera and no money.
Secondly, as a big girl I found almost all the dialogue offense.
Thirdly, I don’t agree with this separation of fatties dating fatties or thin dating thin….and I checked out the website and frankly, all I found were guys who wanted slutty fat girls, they were married and wanted an affair (so the dirty little secret syndrome or they were just not attractive men – not saying all men who like fat girls are unattractive, I just didn’t see any matches that I would be attracted to).
So, all in all, I guess if you’re fat, you have to take your chances and hope Mr. Right (or Mr. Right now if that’s your thing) finds you in the world at large. Either that you could become a lesbian, which doesn’t appeal to me though I don’t judge if it appeals to you or you can die old and alone and comforted by your hobbies, friends and cats.
Seriously though, this ad had terrible production values, promotes a poorly thought out mission statement and frankly, only perpetuates more stereotypes than it is meant to abolish. The woman who made this ad should go back to the stone ages where she belongs.
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