Gabourey Sidibe's Mom Responds to Howard Stern

Well Said: Gabourey Sidibe's Mom Responds to Howard Stern

March 12, 2010

"He can see, you can see, I can see Gabby is a big girl. She’s a big woman, so what’s wrong with that? She’s not like everyone else in the world. . . . I don’t see him giving jobs out to anybody, so why should we care what he says? He might not hire her, but someone else will.”

— Alice Tan Ridley, the mother of Academy Award-nominated Gabourey Sidibe, talks back after Howard Stern called Gabby "the most enormous black chick he'd ever seen." Howard said that to support Gabby's career was to tacitly support obesity and that no one else would hire her — too bad someone already has.

Source: WireImage

41 Comments

CaterpillarGirl 3 years 9 weeks

what spacekat said.....

CaterpillarGirl 3 years 9 weeks

what spacekat said.....

ayuninur 3 years 9 weeks

he's a douche! enough said

ayuninur 3 years 9 weeks

he's a douche! enough said

LuniaFloria 3 years 9 weeks

The thing I see...Howard Stern is a no-talent, foul mouthed JERK... and he wasn't concerned about Gabby's health or well-being... he just wanted to make fun of (his words) the "fat black chick". That's where the outrage lies, not in him saying that Gabby is a very big girl (which she is- but it's her life). And speaking as someone who is battling a weight issue and an eating disorder (emotional and binge eating- taking it day by day)... I am doing so because there is a strong history of heart disease among the women in my family, but it's MY choice to do so... and yes, Gabby is very large, but she is aware of it... so it's her prerogative to live as she wishes.She seems a lot happier than a lot of the other "Young Hollywood" types and has a FAR more attractive personality... and more talent....I am going to quit rambling now and conclude with my basic first thought: no one cares what "Potty Mouth" Stern thinks, and that's what got his goat.

LuniaFloria 3 years 9 weeks

The thing I see... Howard Stern is a no-talent, foul mouthed JERK... and he wasn't concerned about Gabby's health or well-being... he just wanted to make fun of (his words) the "fat black chick". That's where the outrage lies, not in him saying that Gabby is a very big girl (which she is- but it's her life). And speaking as someone who is battling a weight issue and an eating disorder (emotional and binge eating- taking it day by day)... I am doing so because there is a strong history of heart disease among the women in my family, but it's MY choice to do so... and yes, Gabby is very large, but she is aware of it... so it's her prerogative to live as she wishes. She seems a lot happier than a lot of the other "Young Hollywood" types and has a FAR more attractive personality... and more talent.... I am going to quit rambling now and conclude with my basic first thought: no one cares what "Potty Mouth" Stern thinks, and that's what got his goat.

simplyfab87 3 years 9 weeks

I agree with running. No one is here is applauding or making excuses for her weight we can all she is VERY obese. But why is she being singled out and ridiculed because of it. Those who claim to be concerned for her health should also be up in arms about the droves of young Hollywood and models that is obviously thin in a unhealthy way but do we see that? NO! People need to stop being so hypocritical. Claim to be concerned for her health all you want but most of us know its BS. I hope she will use her success and added revenue to become healthier because she seems like such a sweet person but in the mean time I will continue to support her and her career.

simplyfab87 3 years 9 weeks

I agree with running. No one is here is applauding or making excuses for her weight we can all she is VERY obese. But why is she being singled out and ridiculed because of it. Those who claim to be concerned for her health should also be up in arms about the droves of young Hollywood and models that is obviously thin in a unhealthy way but do we see that? NO! People need to stop being so hypocritical. Claim to be concerned for her health all you want but most of us know its BS.I hope she will use her success and added revenue to become healthier because she seems like such a sweet person but in the mean time I will continue to support her and her career.

spacekatgal 3 years 9 weeks

Because it's ridiculous to assume that being against obesity means you are pro-anorexia. In fact, playing the anorexia card is a false narrative. It's part of a substantial system of denial common to obesity. To be honest, Running, you've done an iron man. I'm a little surprised you would buy into any of this. I don't think excuses figure into succeeding at that. From my experience, excuses sure didn't help me lose all that weight.

spacekatgal 3 years 9 weeks

Because it's ridiculous to assume that being against obesity means you are pro-anorexia. In fact, playing the anorexia card is a false narrative. It's part of a substantial system of denial common to obesity.To be honest, Running, you've done an iron man. I'm a little surprised you would buy into any of this. I don't think excuses figure into succeeding at that. From my experience, excuses sure didn't help me lose all that weight.

runningesq 3 years 9 weeks

Of course obesity isn't healthy. I don't think anyone is saying it is. But: if everyone was SO concerned over the health of Hollywood actresses, why haven't there been numerous posts about actresses that weigh far too little? EDs can - and do - lead to death.

runningesq 3 years 9 weeks

Of course obesity isn't healthy. I don't think anyone is saying it is.But: if everyone was SO concerned over the health of Hollywood actresses, why haven't there been numerous posts about actresses that weigh far too <i>little</i>? EDs can - and do - lead to death.

PinkNC 3 years 9 weeks

Gabourey Sidibe most likely already knew that these comments were coming after she received the part. And for health reasons, she does need to lose weight. She can now afford to see a proper nutritionist now or get weight loss surgery. Gabbie needs to do something quick because running around in the Hollywood heat and kayos at that size, can not only get tiring but it could put an unbelievable strain on her body/health, and she could die. This girl and her mother should not ignore the obvious. No matter how much they say that her weight doesn't matter, doesn't mean that all will change or people will ignore the fact. Producers, directors, other actors, and the studio, need actors that will not have to take many day off because of health reasons, or will slow filming down while on set, because they can't move as fast as everyone else therefore they cannot accomplish filming all the much needed movie scenes. Bottom line, Gabbie has to make the lifetime change so that she can survive longer in life and in Hollywood, if she truly wants it.

PinkNC 3 years 9 weeks

Good job *Spacekatgal* for loosing the weight and stay healthy! I hope you keep going so that you can live longer in happiness :)

bryseana 3 years 9 weeks

Howard has always been that way.

spacekatgal 3 years 9 weeks

Absolutely, Chloe Bella. At my heaviest, I was 268 pounds. Gods, I was so miserable! I remember taking off my shoes at the end of the day and feeling my feet ache from the fat around my feet swelling into the shoe. If I am very anti-obesity, it's because I've beaten it and I'm committed to a lifetime of fitness and wellness. It has nothing to do with "not wanting to look at a fat person." That's just bitterness talking.

spacekatgal 3 years 9 weeks

chloe bella 3 years 9 weeks

Anon # 9 and ShaynaLeah, I really disagree. My best friend at work was, at her highest weight, about the same size as Gabourey Sidebe, and at age 30, she was miserable. Her knees and back constantly ached; some days, she would just sit at her desk and cry because her back hurt so badly. When I asked her whether there was anything that made her feel better, she said, "No, because I'm obese and there's nothing that's going to help except losing weight." She lost 80 lbs this past year and now is SO much happier and healthier. So yeah, some of us ARE actually concerned for people who are morbidly obese. I don't think they should be made fun of, mocked, or guilted into losing weight, but pretending obesity isn't detrimental to health doesn't do anyone any favors.

spacekatgal 3 years 9 weeks

Yeah, Amanda. And, as Howard Stern pointed out in this clip - Mo'Nique was nowhere as obese as this girl and she now has diabetes.

PiNkY PiNk 3 years 9 weeks

applaud her for her talent, but not for "loving her size" or being that big. There's nothing to love about being that big, beauty wise and health wise. And let's not go from one extreme to the other. I'm not saying she should be a size zero, that's not pretty or healthy either.

amandachalynn 3 years 9 weeks

D, I would never let my child get that overweight, and it has nothing to do with wanting him to look socially acceptable. The health problems that come with obesity are real, they are not something made up because people are afraid of fat. It has nothing to do with beauty, it has to do with health. As a parent there are many ways to help your child without making them feel ashamed. Even Mo'Nique lost weight after telling media outlets that she loved being a BBW for years. All because of her health.

insi 3 years 9 weeks

what howard stern said was true and only true, nothing would change that

ShaynaLeah 3 years 9 weeks

This is another example of the rage that people feel towards obese individuals - They see fat people as inherently lazy and therefore undeserving of happinss... and in making nasty remarks like that they humiliate those who are not physically perfect, which for many people leads to stress eating - increasing the problem. As a former fat girl (I lost 75 pounds last year) I know how horrible this is - My self-esteem was about zero (still is) and my childhood was marked by progressive introversion so I didn't have to deal with remarks like that --- and I wasn't being mocked on a national scale.

hypnoticmix 3 years 9 weeks

This is what I don't get, people saying they agree with him when the fact of the matter is she does already have other TV and movie offers. Contrary to Sterns rant that she will not be able to get any work after Precious so the question begs to be asked what are you agreeing with when it's already been shot down?

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