Charlize Theron Says 'I'm Very Fat Right Now'

Devon Kelley

On Thursday night, Charlize Theron was honored at the amfAR Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles for her work fighting HIV/AIDS with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. But the attention surrounding Theron’s noble award was muffled by a comment about her weight. In response to a joke that Chelsea Handler cracked, Theron said, “Yes, I’m very fat right now.”

Theron put on upwards of 30 pounds for her latest role as a mother of three in an upcoming comedy, Tully. According to E! News both Theron and Handler were reportedly joking, but was the night of Theron’s award really the best time to discuss her weight gain?

“I think it’s unfortunate for her and all women, fat or thin, that she was there to accept an award for something important she’s doing and the focus was on her weight,” Erin Hillard, program director at the University of Notre Dame’s Body Image and Eating Disorder Lab, told Yahoo Beauty. “It sends a message that no matter what good you may be doing in the world, if you’re a woman, your physical appearance will always be more important.”

Charlize Theron before her 30-pound weight gain. (Photo: Getty)
Charlize Theron before her 30-pound weight gain. (Photo: Getty)

Charlize Theron before her 30-pound weight gain. (Photo: Getty)

 

Hillard takes issue with the fact that “people around her felt the need to comment on her weight gain at all.” And Handler of all people should know that body image is not something to joke about. “You shouldn’t be telling someone they’re fat,” Handler told SheKnows in 2014. “Usually if somebody’s fat they know it about themselves, so you don’t have to alert them to it. I mean, if somebody’s overweight, they’re already thinking about it.” Handler also opened up about her own body image issues. “I mean, people who aren’t fat think they’re fat — myself included,” she said. “I have body dysmorphia… we all have it.”

Undermining women’s work is a theme in Hollywood. During this year’s Oscars Awards in February, curvy model Ashley Graham was slammed for comments she made on Kate Winslet’s “curves,” on a night that focused on her work. The problem is so prevalent that this year, L’Oreal launched a red carpet campaign to shift the conversations from women’s outward appearances to something #WorthSaying.

We hope that more people can get on board, and start talking about what really matters.

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