*This story first appeared on TheFatGirlShow.com
In an interview with TVLine released today, This Is Us star Chrissy Metz (Kate) revealed that her show contract includes a weight-loss requirement. The actress defends signing the contract and reassures viewers that any weight-loss she achieves is 100% her decision.
The article claims that Metz is encouraging the writers to take her character, Kate, to other storylines and not only focus on her weight. As a plus size viewer I can’t applaud this enough – we’re pretty deep into the first half of the season and all we’ve seen is her deal with being fat. Even her on-screen boyfriend asked if they can do something other than discuss her diet!
As the writers consider exploring different facets of Kate’s life, I hope they come to a decision sooner rather than later. Taking three episodes to tell the audience what she does for a living (yet making sure we see she hates her body for three episodes straight) is lazy writing.
Metz doesn’t want any misconceptions about herself and her feelings – especially to anyone who may confuse Chrissy Metz (the actress) with Kate (the character) –
“Whether or not I lose weight or stay the same, it’s purely a choice of mine for health. Not because I think that plus size, curvy, voluptuous, big bodies aren’t attractive — because I think they’re awesome and sexy.”
She continues: “So I’ll just have to make sure that’s known, because I’m not selling out the big girls.” She laughs. “I don’t do that. That’s not me.”