LAST WEEK THE trailer for Netflix’s new show ‘Insatiable’ dropped onto social media and it received a fair bit of backlash with accusations of ‘fat-shaming’ being levelled at the show.
This story’s full of some crazy shit. @debbyryan is Insatiable. August 10. Only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/MrsWMrKyYf
— insatiable (@insatiable_) July 19, 2018
Described as ‘a coming of rage story’, Insatiable follows ‘Patty’ played by Debby Ryan who is bullied for her weight by being excluded and called names like ‘Fatty Patty’ (so original). Then a chance encounter that results in a broken jaw means Debby has her jaw wired shut and loses all the weight. Now everyone wants a piece of her but all Debby is interested in is revenge.
Now, creator Lauren Gussis, as well as stars Debby Ryan and Alyssa Milano, have responded to the backlash. All three took to Twitter to defend the show and urged people to ‘give the show a chance’.
First up was creator Lauren Gussis.
This is my truth. @insatiable_ pic.twitter.com/xbs3YtueCQ
— Lauren Gussis (@GussisLauren) July 21, 2018
Debby Ryan who plays Patty issued a longer statement defending the show.
— debbyryan (@DebbyRyan) July 21, 2018
If you can’t see the full statement click here.
I was drawn to this show’s willingness to go to real places about how difficult and scary it can be to move through the world in a body, whether you’re being praised or criticized for its size and what it feels like to pray to be ignored because it’s easier than being seen.”
Alyssa Milano who plays the wife of Patty’s beauty pageant coach also defended the show.
We are not shaming Patty. We are addressing (through comedy) the damage that occurs from fat shaming. I hope that clears it up. Also, this article does a good job of explaining it more: https://t.co/WoR8R7TjqR #Insatiable https://t.co/GFkDdsn1uh
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 19, 2018
Lauren Gussis also spoke to Teen Vogue and said that the show was an expression of her experiences with weight loss and the issues she faced as a teenager.
This is my expression of my own process. My own pain. And so I would never mock myself in a way that wasn’t loving. It’s my way of sharing my own experience with the world. So it’s not coming from an outsider’s perspective pointing a finger, it’s from inside.”
However, critics of the show remain unimpressed with the defence of it.
This might be your intent but it is not what you have created. You’ve created a damaging, poorly written concept with 0 thought, have a think about the narrative you’ve created and what that is saying, what you’ve ‘meant’ to do and what you’ve done are two very different things.
— leoni horton (@inoelshikari) July 20, 2018
Why wasn’t this role given to a plus size female instead of having someone wearing fat suit who has no idea what it’s like to be plus size?
— Sammy Lynn (@ifangrlx) July 21, 2018
but she doesn't have the same personality after? she immediately changes the way she dresses talks etc? it's some sort of mssg that weight is a personality facet... as far as giving it a chance, the optics of the trailer alone have REAL affects on ppl with EDs. it's irresponsible
— singular ems (@sofbrinaa) July 21, 2018
‘Insatiable’ arrives on Netflix on August 10th.
If you have been affected by any of the topics raised in this article please contact:
Bodywhys: 1890 200 444
Samaritans: 116 123
Pieta House: 01 623 5606
