Tess Holliday Boycotts Uber Over ‘Fat’ Driver She Says Body-Shamed Her

Elizabeth Durand Streisand
Tess Holliday attends P.S. ARTS and OneWest Bank's Express Yourself 2016 at Barker Hangar
Tess Holliday attends Express Yourself event at Barker Hangar. (Photo: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for P.S. ARTS)

Tess Holliday clapped back at an Uber driver she claims body-shamed her during a recent ride. On Wednesday, the plus-size model posted a video clip in which her driver could be heard asking about her cholesterol. “My cholesterol is fine,” the 31-year-old star replied. “I’m perfect. Yeah, I’m healthy.” The video does not show the driver’s face, but his own thick waist is in full view of the camera.

“Hey @uber I don’t pay more to use your ‘black car’ service to be told that there’s no way I could possibly be healthy because I’m fat & then questioning it. No one should have to tolerate this at any level of the services you offer,” Holliday wrote. “I’m fat. I also have a fat wallet & will no longer be using your services. Ever.” She did concede that after their exchange about her weight, the driver “turned off the radio & changed the subject,” but she felt it was too little, too late. “#putmymoneywheremymouthis #uberdriver #uber,” she finished the original post.

Hey @uber I don't pay more to use your "black car" service to be told that there's no way I could possibly be healthy because I'm fat & then questioning it. No one should have to tolerate this at any level of the services you offer. I'm fat. I also have a fat wallet & will no longer be using your services. Ever. Also after I told him I was healthy he turned the radio off & changed the subject. #putmymoneywheremymouthis #uberdriver #uber Edited to add: saying my driver is fat was obviously being used as a descriptor & not to insult him. Also I did not show his face or use his name when filming, it was to be able to show what I deal with daily & why this behavior is unacceptable from anyone.

A post shared by Plus Model????Mom ????Feminist???? (@tessholliday) on Apr 18, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT

Later she went back to clarify and defend her statements. “Edited to add: saying my driver is fat was obviously being used as a descriptor & not to insult him. Also I did not show his face or use his name when filming, it was to be able to show what I deal with daily & why this behavior is unacceptable from anyone,” she reasoned.

One person who definitely has her back in this matter is her 10-month-old son, Bowie. “Bowie says no to body shaming ???? Its not cute- but he is!,” the proud mom captioned a video of her son adorably shaking his head “no.”

Bowie says no to body shaming ???? Its not cute- but he is! ???? onesie from @thewishingelephant

A post shared by Plus Model????Mom ????Feminist???? (@tessholliday) on Apr 19, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT

Holliday, who is the largest plus-size model ever to ink a deal with a major agency, is (understandably) an outspoken advocate for a healthy body image, and her Instagram feed is peppered with images showcasing her ample curves.

According to Mashable, an Uber spokesperson responded to Holliday’s social call-out saying, “We expect all riders and drivers to treat each other with respect as laid out in our Community Guidelines.”

When you let the girls run free for breakfast bc you are in Vegas & #YOLO ????????‍♀️ #effyourbeautystandards

A post shared by Plus Model????Mom ????Feminist???? (@tessholliday) on Apr 17, 2017 at 9:56am PDT

Just to be clear, those ample curves will not be getting around town in an Uber, ever again.


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