MCCARTHY. Parlays her “funny” girth into box-office gold.AFP
It’s the age of thin and even gaunt on the fashion and beauty fronts, but in show biz, plus-sized stars are getting a lot of attention—and opportunities to strut their heartily hefty stuff.
Why the contradiction? Comedy is big business at the box office these days and plump performers have always been a part of that profitable tradition, so producers are only too happy to give viewers more of the same.
On the small screen, roly-poly Rebel Wilson got her own comedy series some seasons ago. At the cineplex, “Bridesmaids” was a literally huge hit.
Currently, there are two movies topbilling plus-sized stars that are vying for viewers’ avid favor—“Pitch Perfect 2,” which has Wilson in its ensemble cast of stars, and “Spy” with “Bridesmaids’” Melissa McCarthy. Not too long ago, the last “Night at the Museum” sequel also featured Wilson.
The instructive thing is that, while the stars have retained their “funny” girth, their performances have changed in a key way: No longer do they just sit on their beatific butts while delivering their punch lines, they’re now much more physically active and all over the place!
In fact, “Spy” is an action thriller, with McCarthy doing pretty much her version of all the physical activities and feats of derring do that action stars are required to perform—within medical limits, of course!
Will more gross and gross-out performers be developed to keep the supply coming? If “substantial” comediennes’ starrers keep topping the box office, definitely. Their wish is eager-to-please movie producers’ command!
Change
Another change in fat stars’ projection these days is their increased “sexy” quotient. It’s been discovered, in fact, that there are members of the audience who prefer plump screen goddesses—they’re called “chubby chasers” in the trade, and their number is on the rise. They regard fat women not just as funny-looking and breezily-diverting, but also as kinky turnons—go figure.
On the local entertainment scene, plus-sized stars are also well-represented by the prosperous-looking likes of Ruby Rodriguez and Sharon Cuneta. The Megastar says that she’s determined to lose weight, but as viewers keep tabs of her “progress” from week to week, they realize that she’s taking her slow, sweet time in that regard—so, they don’t think so!
Perhaps producers should just look at her girth in a new, more realistic light and come up with their own versions of “Bridesmaids” and “Spy” for her and other now truly “mega” luminaries? That’s taking the line of least resistance, but there are times when that could pay off—bigtime!