Rebel Wilson is starring in an upcoming romantic comedy, Isn’t It Romantic, that spoofs the genre by having Wilson’s character hit her head and wake up only to find herself trapped in a rom-com of her own. While debuting the trailer for the film (which also stars her fellow Aussie Liam Hemsworth and Adam DeVine as dueling love interests) on Ellen this week, Wilson opened up about how being a plus-sized woman starring in a romantic comedy abandons stereotypical Hollywood tropes. She one point added, “And also, I’m kinda proud to be the first plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy.”
Except … she isn’t. Not exactly, anyway. Queen Latifah, for example, has starred in multiple romantic comedies over the past decade or so, including Just Wright (2010) and The Last Holiday (2006). While Queen Latifah’s body type was not a plot device in any of those films, Wilson’s statement was problematic in that it seemingly cancels out women of color in films.
Wilson certainly has the right to be proud of her film — and she should be! — but also in a way that is cognizant of the contributions of women before her, particularly women of color. Shortly after the Ellen interview aired, Twitter took it viral as many pointed out that fact.
I love @RebelWilson as much as the next girl, but she isn’t the first plus sized woman to play the lead in a romantic comedy. Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique have both played romcom leads 🤔 https://t.co/l2uEpwvcsF
— Halfapintdoll (@Halfapintdoll) November 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/florababe_/status/1058071999782797313
https://twitter.com/ira/status/1058113745451274240
This Rebel Wilson nonsense—it sounds like her ✌🏾rom com✌🏾 is some sort of spoof. So how is that body positive?
Also, she should shut up. Queen Latifah all day every day.
— Imani Gandy (Orca’s Version) ⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/IWriteAllDay_/status/1058057725593022464
https://twitter.com/Nabela/status/1057818468710576129
Don’t get me wrong – there aren’t nearly enough fat and plus-size actresses cast as romantic leads but that statement from Rebel Wilson – issa no. pic.twitter.com/32x3n6izYx
— FilmFatale_NYC 🇭🇹 🇩🇴 🇺🇸 (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 1, 2018
Wilson later attempted to clarify her remarks, but she somehow only made things worse.
https://twitter.com/RebelWilson/status/1058129473562804224
https://twitter.com/RebelWilson/status/1058129664852414465
Had to re-read Rebel Wilson’s tweet about Mo’Nonique and Queen Latifah. pic.twitter.com/LNArrH78Dx
— FilmFatale_NYC 🇭🇹 🇩🇴 🇺🇸 (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 2, 2018
Also you have Ricki Lake in Babycakes that came out in ‘89 in which she was the lead, it was a rom com and she was definitely plus size in it so…
— Christina (@stinasings) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/IWriteAllDay_/status/1058215914053627906
At the very least, hopefully this was a teaching moment for her as she continues to promote her movie.