# Is "Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe so obese she is in danger of early death? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214 "2010-03-12T07:14:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/101 "2010-03-15T17:58:58Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I believe she will Hollywoodize herself, drop some weight, have some work done here or there. And I am hoping like hell she doesn’t get relegated to the sassy friend because I know she is dying to watch folks eat their words. I am thrilled this girl is having her time in the lime light. May she go the way of Queen Latifah and make everyone remember her name. FAME! From listening to Stern I think he’d agree with you BTW. He has said he loved the movie and her performance. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/102 "2010-03-15T17:59:41Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > By the way, I am guessing that You With the Face doesn’t listen to Stern. Anyone who does wouldn’t accuse him of doing anything to be PC. I didn’t call him PC. I said he went after her weight because it’s the most obvious and yes, politically safest thing to go after. Just because Stern is known to be out there doesn’t mean he isn’t above swiping some low swinging fruit from time to time. If he’d said “Ugly black girls are doomed in Hollywood” instead talking about her weight, even Imus would be throwing tomatoes at him. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/103 "2010-03-15T18:01:51Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Haters? I don’t have anything against the girl, and wish her well. I’m just saying all of this highly temporary fawning is Hollywood self-congratulatory claptrap. “Oh, look at how accepting we are. We believe talent comes in all shapes and sizes. To prove it, we nominated Gabby Sidibe for an Oscar.” A few more roles are being offered now, at the height of the fawning, then she’ll return to wherever she came from. Maybe, \*maybe \*she’ll have the occasional part as the sassy, fat sidekick, but even then, she’ll have to lose a bit of weight. Jennifer Hudson, anyone? She had a throwaway role in the _Sex and the City_ movie and a role in _The Secret Life of Bees_, a movie that didn’t exactly set the box office on fire. And she _did_ win the Oscar. You know, Madonna was praised after her role in _Desperately Seeking Susan_. Hollywood thought she’d be a good actress. _snerk_ ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/104 "2010-03-15T18:04:17Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > You know, Madonna was praised after her role in _Desperately Seeking Susan_. Hollywood thought she’d be a good actress. _snerk_ Well, she was praised pretty roundly for her roll in Evita years later. Won a Golden Globe, too. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/105 "2010-03-15T18:06:02Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > So this woman in spite of being > > 1. Fat > 2. \*That \*fat > 3. Black > 4. Not Hollywood pretty (I’d say not pretty at all, but “Hollywood pretty” is more objective) > > She will somehow have this great, long, odds-defying career. Because that was Howard Stern’s point: that those Hollywood wingbags were full of crap pretending like she was going to be the next It Girl. Uh, no. Read my post again. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/106 "2010-03-15T18:07:57Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > Jennifer Hudson, anyone? She had a throwaway role in the _Sex and the City_ movie and a role in _The Secret Life of Bees_, a movie that didn’t exactly set the box office on fire. And she _did_ win the Oscar. > > You know, Madonna was praised after her role in _Desperately Seeking Susan_. Hollywood thought she’d be a good actress. _snerk_ Aw shit. I actually thoght Jennifer Hudson was a successful working actress, so there goes my bet with Cisco. I would have thought Gabby was doing good with that level of success, and he would have felt she was toast. ETA: Diobellisima beat me to my point about Madonna. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/107 "2010-03-15T18:08:24Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Well, she was praised pretty roundly for her roll in Evita years later. Won a Golden Globe, too. You’re right. There’s also… _Shanghai Surprise Who’s That Girl Dick Tracy Body of Evidence Swept Away_ … and another half dozen of stinkers in between. I liked her in _A League of Their Own_, though. Hey, I like Madonna as an artist, but she can only pull off specific kinds of roles. So, Golden Globe not withstanding, she’s not really successful actress if you look at the entire body of her work. > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Aw shit. I actually thoght Jennifer Hudson was a successful working actress, so there goes my bet with Cisco. I would have thought Gabby was doing good with that level of success, and he would have felt she was toast. > > ETA: Diobellisima beat me to my point about Madonna. Well, if you consider the “It Girl” status Hudson got after _Dreamgirls_ has been represented in those two movies then more power to you ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/108 "2010-03-15T18:10:39Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > You’re right. There’s also… > > _Shanghai Surprise > Who’s That Girl > Dick Tracy > Body of Evidence > Swept Away_ … and another half dozen of stinkers in between. > > I liked her in _A League of Their Own_, though. > > Hey, I like Madonna as an artist, but she can only pull off specific kinds of roles. So, Golden Globe not withstanding, she’s not really successful actress if you look at the entire body of her work. Yeah, I mean, she’s not some epic Meryl Streep type actress, but I can’t help but think most of us would be quite pleased with two well received movies in our lifetime. And the money that comes along with it. Same thing for Gabby- she seems quite level headed. I’m sure if her career deadens, she’ll take her money, finish college (if she hasn’t already- can’t remember), and do something with her life probably much more meaningful than have a bunch of strangers discuss what a fatty you are. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/109 "2010-03-15T18:14:38Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > Well, if you consider the “It Girl” status Hudson got after _Dreamgirls_ has been represented in those two movies then more power to you I think I don’t know what ‘It Girl’ means. I thought it was something an actress is called when she is being fawned over in Hollywood. When she is having her moment, getting the alcolades, the interviews, the Tonight Show. I guess it means something esle. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/110 "2010-03-15T18:24:15Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I think I don’t know what ‘It Girl’ means. I thought it was something an actress is called when she is being fawned over in Hollywood. When she is having her moment, getting the alcolades, the interviews, the Tonight Show. I guess it means something esle. That’s exactly what it means. **Sleeps With Butterflies** is pointing out that being the Hollywood “It Girl” after her Dreamgirls win has done jack all for Jennifer Hudson’s career. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/111 "2010-03-15T18:27:01Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > That’s exactly what it means. **Sleeps With Butterflies** is pointing out that being the Hollywood “It Girl” after her Dreamgirls win has done jack all for Jennifer Hudson’s career. So what? That has nothing to do with Gabby. I’m rooting for Gabby because, a. She’s got some haters trying to steal her sunshine and b., I feel she is really good. I think she showed some art on that screen. I hope some artists will write for her. But, again, I didn’t know that Jennifer Hudson wasn’t considered successful, still. I have no clue about this stuff, I’m afraid. But, still, Go Gabby, Go! ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/112 "2010-03-15T18:27:17Z")
In case it’s not clear in this thread, I’m actually pretty confident Gabby will have a decent career based on whom she has impressed and their connections, and the niche she could potentially fill along with her name recognition. There’s not only movies, but TV and theater. A lead role in a decent dramatic series is certainly not out of the question. There are many stars that have made it against the odds. Oprah is a pretty good example of that. If she’d listen to the naysayers, her net worth would probably be $5. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/113 "2010-03-15T18:28:56Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Uh, no. Read my post again. Keep your shirt on. I’m saying if it is unlikely for any overnight success to have lasting power, it will be especially difficult for Ms Sidibe considering. There are others who apparently disagree. I was quoting you, but am not calling you out… just yet. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/114 "2010-03-15T18:49:18Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > From listening to Stern Do you listen on the internet? Do many people in Ireland listen? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/115 "2010-03-15T18:54:48Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > So what? That has nothing to do with Gabby. I’m rooting for Gabby because, a. She’s got some haters trying to steal her sunshine and b., I feel she is really good. I think she showed some art on that screen. I hope some artists will write for her. That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t change that Sleeps is pointing to an example of a previous It Girl (and Oscar winner to boot) whose career didn’t pan out (so far). It happens. But I do agree with you in that I think she’ll have a decently long and good career. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/116 "2010-03-15T18:57:59Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Yeah, I mean, she’s not some epic Meryl Streep type actress, but I can’t help but think most of us would be quite pleased with two well received movies in our lifetime. And the money that comes along with it. > > Same thing for Gabby- she seems quite level headed. I’m sure if her career deadens, she’ll take her money, finish college (if she hasn’t already- can’t remember), and do something with her life probably much more meaningful than have a bunch of strangers discuss what a fatty you are. Oh cry me a river. Jaysus, are you a celebrity worshipper or something? What is something “more meaningful” to you? We have teachers, doctors, nurses (thank you), parents, etc etc on this board who have meaningful jobs and endeavors. Because we have something critical to say about a celebrity that brings out your “oh I’m sure YOU ALL would like to have a successful movie” or “THEY will do something more meaningful than BEING ON A MESSAGE BOARD” responses? Do you apply this measure to all artists or just the ones that you like? What about sports stars? Politicians? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/117 "2010-03-15T19:02:12Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Keep your shirt on. I’m saying if it is unlikely for any overnight success to have lasting power, it will be especially difficult for Ms Sidibe considering. There are others who apparently disagree. I was quoting you, but am not calling you out… just yet. Well then I have no idea why you quoted me when I was \*agreeing \*with you. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/118 "2010-03-15T19:06:15Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t change that Sleeps is pointing to an example of a previous It Girl (and Oscar winner to boot) whose career didn’t pan out (so far). It happens. > > But I do agree with you in that I think she’ll have a decently long and good career. And I agreee with you that every It girl doesn’t get a great career out of it. Now put on your Team Gabby T-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/119 "2010-03-15T19:14:19Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > And I agreee with you that every It girl doesn’t get a great career out of it. Now put on your Team Gabby T-shirt. I’ve never seen Precious and really have no desire to. I actually think it looks pretty downright horrible (I read it described as “poverty porn” in one review), but I saw Gabourey Sidibe on Craig Ferguson and she was funny and cool. That’s why I think she’ll go far. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214/120 "2010-03-15T19:18:03Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’ve never seen Precious and really have no desire to. I actually think it looks pretty downright horrible (I read it described as “poverty porn” in one review), but I saw Gabourey Sidibe on Craig Ferguson and she was funny and cool. > > That’s why I think she’ll go far. Fine. Put the tshirt on. Oprah’s on the back. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe-so-obese-she-is-in-danger-of-early-death/532214.md?page=7)