James Corden was recently recorded in a podcast saying that there is a reason that “fat” actors aren’t cast as romantic leads in movies.
Out of context, we can see how this sounds pretty bad.
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But let’s hear him out.
James was a guest on the podcast known as “David Tennant Does A Podcast With…”
While they talked about various topics over the course of their hour-long interview, one specific topic caught our attention.
James used a personal anecdote to explain himself:
He shared that he was trying to be cast for a movie many years ago, and it came down to him and two other men, both much slimmer than he was.
He didn’t think that weight was going to factor in to whether or not he got the part.
There were two roles available, and they were both given to the other two men.
James was offered an alternative role.
“It really, really felt like people were going, ‘We think you’re quite good. It’s just because of what you look like,'” he said.
James was disappointed that he didn’t get the role that he had hoped for, and in hindsight, he believes it had something to do with the way that he looked, and not his acting capabilities.
He went on to explain that if you didn’t know anything about the human race or planet earth, and you studied them through watching movies and TV shows, you would be able to see how more often than not, thinner people are perceived to be more desirable.
He used aliens as an example of this, to better get his point across.
“If an alien came back and they had to take a reading on planet Earth by just watching films and TV, they would imagine that if you are chubby or fat or big, you never really fall in love,” he said, adding:
“You never have sex, certainly no one really ever finds you attractive .”
He then explained how the “chubby” character is always the loveless, but supportive best friend of the lead character.”
“You’ll be good friends with people who are attractive. You’ll often be a really great sense of comfort to them,” he added .
He added that the “fat” character may also be a source of humor.
“And perhaps you’ll chip in with the odd joke every now and then,” he explained .
He added that if you are overweight, your role will either be humiliating, or something insignificant, like handing something off to a “handsome person”.
“As you get older you’ll probably be a judge in something or you’ll be dropping off a television to a handsome person in a sitcom. And that’s really how it can feel,” he went on .
He shared that he feels if the entertainment industry were a banquet table, there would be no seat for him at it — he would need to create his own.
James has opened up about this topic in the past, when he spoke to Rolling Stone in 2016.
“I could never understand, when I watch romantic comedies, the notion that for some reason unattractive or heavy people don’t fall in love,” he said.
” If they do , it’s in some odd, kooky, roundabout way — and it’s not.”
To be fair, James is not wrong. There are statistics that back up his theory.
In a 2002 study , research revealed that everything James is speaking on, is, unfortunately, the sad truth.
“Overweight and obese females were less likely to be considered attractive, to interact with romantic partners, or to display physical affection,” the study read.
Barring that this study is still warranted 17 years later, James has brought up a very good point.
“Overweight and obese males were less likely to interact with romantic partners,” the study continued, adding:
“And friends or to talk about dating and were more likely to be shown eating .”
So, it looks like James suspicions actually checks out.
Obviously, the show biz industry needs to make a few adjustments.
Do you agree with James that overweight actors aren’t cast in leading romantic roles intentionally?
