Executive producer and star of “Survival of the Thickest” Michelle Buteau is opening up about what her new Netflix series means to her.
“It’s thick. It is plus-size. It’s beautiful. It’s fatty baddies, oddy bodies, loving yourself no matter what,” she told CBS Mornings. “It’s also going through stuff.”
The stand-up comedian admitted to the hosts that she’s always learned more from bad shows than good ones. After years of performing, she learned it’s more about getting uncomfortable and learning who you are.
“I think people want to feel safe, and their ego wants to be stroked all the time. But you got to get messy. You got to be comfortable with rejection and figure out who you are in that moment. And so that’s what this show is,” she said.
Body Image and Being Seen
Buteau recalled when a college professor told her that being an entertainment reporter was a “bad plan because of her build.”
“So I went to school for TV production. And I really wanted to be a journalist. And my professor told me I was just simply too fat to be on camera,” the actress shared.
Buteau’s instant reaction was embarrassment instead of anger. And because of her upbringing, she didn’t want to question her professor’s harsh words at the time. In fact, Buteau agreed with her professor’s criticism at that moment.
“He’s not wrong. I don’t see anyone like me on camera. So I started working in TV production. I used to edit for the local news WNBC,” she explained.
But during that time, she quickly realized that she wanted more. And that she wasn’t waiting for the world to catch up with her. Her journey was laced with judgement but she refused to be overlooked.
“It’s ridiculous to think that you will ever be attractive by an unrealistic patriarchal standard. So you don’t need to be bikini body ready. You already have a body. You’re ready,” Buteau declared.
Survival of the Thickest
Get your snacks ready because “Survival of the Thickest” premieres on Netflix on July 13. The eight-episode series stars Buteau as Mavis Beaumont, a fashion-forward New Yorker trying to embrace the newly single lifestyle. “Survival of the Thickest” is based on Buteau’s book of essays, “Survival of the Thickest: Essays.“
“I want to dress women and help them love their bodies,” Buteau’s Mavis says in the trailer.
The supporting cast includes Tone Bell, Christine Horn, and Tasha Smith.