TV One’s ‘Love That Girl’ Pokes Fun at Plus Size Comedienne Erica Watson
Photo Credit: Charlie T.
During a scene of TV One’s new comedy, “Love That Girl” a picture of a plus size woman was used with Tatyana Ali’s head attached to the body. The body used was Erica Watson’s.
The above photo can be viewed 0:51 seconds into the scene.
The show used Ms. Watson’s body in a before and after weight loss photo but they never received permission from Erica Watson nor did they receive permission from Erica’s photographer, Charlie T.
Erica Watson is best known for her one-woman stand up comedy show, “Fat Bitch.” In the show she uses comedy to tackle issues of stereotypical portrayals of black women in the media and this TV One mishap is just the type of situation she speaks about in her show.
Ms. Watson is hurt by the actions of the network and released this statement:
“I work so hard in my comedy to make sure that all women, regardless of size, feel good about their bodies. We live in a society where the value of a woman is determined by what she looks like and it saddens me that a network like TVOne, which does it’s best to combat distorted images of African-Americans would in turn use the body of someone like me for a cheap laugh. What were they thinking?”
I reached out to several individuals in the plus size community to get their feedback on the very sensitive subject.
The International Fuller Woman Network (IFWN), whose mission is to create a national discussion of the acceptance and celebration of plus size women have pledged their support of Erica Watson during this hurtful time. IFWN Founder, Cassandra Jones-McBryde stated the following:
“We can no longer sit idly by while the plus community is continuously humiliated and berated on such a sociably acceptable level. They took Erica Watson, one of the most beloved women for the fight for size acceptance, and distorted her press photo for a mere punchline. This is a societal trend that needs to end now! We need to send a clear message to TV One and the producers of this show and other shows who repeatedly offend the majority of the people in this country with insensitive comments and negative imagery. Enough is Enough.”
Hollywood NOW is another organization who supports Ms. Watson and is bothered by the decision of TV One to use her photo in this capacity. This weekend Hollywood NOW hosts Love Your Body Day , an annual event where women of all sizes come together to celebrate a day of self-acceptance and to promote positive body image. When asked to comment, Chenese Lewis, President of Hollywood NOW said the following:
“I am absolutely outraged that on the dawn of National Love Your Body Day and during Fat Talk Free Week I have a friend who is distraught from being publicly humiliated on national television because of her size. Not only is this unacceptable, it’s ignorant, and insensitive. She had not given permission for her photo to be used and would never do so in the manner. We are fed up with this type of treatment of plus size women in the media and we refuse to be silent, we will no longer support this show or any others that degrade women because of their physical appearance.”
As the Editor-In-Chief of DailyVenusDiva.com I want to make it very clear that we do not support the public humiliation and illegal use of images and likeness of women, men or children regardless of size, race and geographical location with the intent to disgrace and belittle them. I urge anyone who has ever suffered any type of discrimination or embarrassment at the hand of another person, company and/or organization to join us in our quest to bring national attention to this tactless display of humor.
“We live in a society where women’s bodies are scrutinized for multiple reasons on a daily basis. It saddens me that a network founded by a woman would condone the illegal use of another woman’s photo in an effort to poke fun at her likeness. The Executives behind this television show had no right to publicly humiliate Ms. Watson and should be held accountable for their reckless actions.” ~Stephanie Penn-Danforth, Editor-In-Chief of DailyVenusDiva.com, the premiere lifestyle magazine for plus size women.
If you are disgusted by what TV One has done feel free to contact them HERE. It’s important that we let them know how we feel about their actions.
Here is what the photo was used for:
Doris: 
Eric Risner: 
Pri: 
Sheila Vives: 
rachel travis: 
Sabrina Clark
October 19, 2011 at 2:44 pm
And let me add my say. Speaking of Stereotypes…I really DON’T “Love That Girl”! The show gives in to too many stereotypes with the “ghetto girl” receptionist character in a professional office…come on that’s not reality!
The real reality is that people like Comedian Erica Watson exist as they always have and now that people are recognizing that plus size women and men are in the majority of the worlds population there is no room or excuse for this type of ignorance and discrimination.
I’ve never like the show and for them to pull something like this to keep the “not so funny” show running is unacceptable! I like most of TV One’s other shows but (as a plus size woman, model, fashion editor and blogger) I’m very dissapointed in their actions!
Lanesha M.
October 20, 2011 at 2:42 am
They must have deleted the video because I don’t see it up there. I personally don’t watch this show because it always seemed like the TV version of those straight to dvd poorly written movies. At any rate, I am so tired of below average sized people thinking that it’s okay to poke fun of someone because they’re overweight. It’s ridiculous. I get so tired of fat jokes on TV. It’s not funny. I get so tired of news anchors telling me that because i’m not 145 pounds i’m going to get diabetes and hypertension. Its time for us to stand up for ourselves and stop letting people make us feel as though we are LESS THAN but still take our money and our ratings. I am glad to see websites like this advocating for plus sized women who ACCEPT THEIR BODY. I hope that Erica Watson takes legal action against the show/network.
Erica (Raven) Butler
October 20, 2011 at 5:00 pm
As another Plus Size, Black Female performer (Bassist/vocals in a Gothic Rock Band), I find this extremely insulting and disappointing.
Talent doesn’t have a Dress Size.
Add to that the feelings of betrayal that all women, whatever size they are– that we should all have because this attack is from another Woman– it’s an attack on all women and all young girls who have to fight everyday against a media bias that insists that you have to fit a certain figure-type to perform, to succeed, etc, etc.
Erica Watson deserves kudos for performing in an environment where this sort of thing is sanctioned and applauded by the media.
Ladies, Rock ON!
Pretty Jamaican
October 24, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Embracing individuality is different than embracing obesity. That woman (Erica) is obese. It’s not attractive but more importantly it’s not healthy. Maybe if we stop “accepting” it people will lose the weight and lead healthier lives.
Editor-In-Chief, Stephanie Penn-Danforth
October 24, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@Pretty Jamaican, what does Ms. Watson’s weight have to do with the fact that her photo was used without permission? Furthermore, to call someone unattractive because of their size isn’t pretty at all. Daily Venus Diva supports all people of all sizes and we frown against negativity of any kind.