Is Sidibe a big diva or too big for Hollywood?

OPINION - Stories suggest that because Gabourey Sidibe is not a conventional Hollywood beauty that somehow she has to be the last one on earth to slip up...

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From Clutch Magazine:

The blog Happy About This points out the latest attack on actress Gabby Sidibe. This time the Oscar-nominated star of Showtime’s new series “The Big C” is not only bashed about her weight but her not so nice behavior. Media Bistro’s FishBowl DC’s headline “Gabby Sidibe: Not So Precious” anchors a story about Gabby’s alleged mistreatment of fans. FishBowl writer Matt Dornic states:

“When asked for a picture, the less-than-enthused newbie star could barely crack a smile. One photo-seeking fan said jokingly, ‘that’s all you’re going to give me,’ to the pouty Precious. Gabby responded, ‘you’ll get what I give you.’”

Dornic follows up his post with another story about the actress alleging she dissed Jonathan Capehart, a Washington Post columnist at this year’s White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Capehart shares:

“I was rooting for Gabourey Sidibe for best actress. But the moment edgy comedienne Mo’Nique won the Oscar for supporting actress, I knew that the divine Sidibe was toast.” But after meeting Sidibe at the White House Correspondents dinner and hearing about others’ negative encounters with her, I’m putting down my pompoms.”

I was thrilled to spot her at a table laughing uproariously with the man sitting to her right. “I know you’re having a good time and I’m sorry to interrupt,” I began. My next sentence didn’t come out because Sidibe shouted over the din, “Yeah, come back in five minutes!” Thinking she was joking, I laughed and pretended to walk away. When I noticed that the look in her eyes meant she was serious, I walked back to her and said, “I just wanted to congratulate you on your nomination. I thought your performance was spectacular. I even wrote a column about it.” After wishing her good luck, I rejoined my friends.”

Seems the media uses these isolated incidents as an excuse to further scrutinize Gabby on her weight. Reports reveal both stories linked a play on Gabby’s size. Media Bistro’s first line in the post: “So, who was the weekend’s biggest (no pun intended) disappointment so far?” Another Media Bistro line in the website’s second post read: “Wow! FishbowDC wasn’t alone when we gave Precious star Gabby Sidibe a GIGANTIC (no pun intended…okay, that’s a lie) thumbs down.”

Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart even found some weird way to connect Gabby with another plus-size Black actress. Capehart states he met Queen Latifah at the BET Honors earlier this year and expected “to get the Sidibe treatment” but revealed Queen Latifah was nice and appreciated her fans unlike Gabby. Wow. What a likely comparison.

These stories suggest because Gabby Sidibe is not a conventional Hollywood beauty that somehow she has to be the last one on earth to slip up. We’re definitely not excusing Gabby’s alleged ugly behavior, but does her reported actions warrant these harsh posts?

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