Actress and comedian Rebel Wilson wanted to be a big star, so she gained weight to help her do so. The 36-year-old known for her work in films like Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect, and What to Expect When You’re Expecting, spoke to London’s The Telegraph about her decision to get heavier to achieve fame in Hollywood.
In the interview, she recalls being cast opposite a woman who weighed more than her in a play and how much more laughs she got in the production.
‘Oh. That girl’s getting a lot of laughs, a lot easier than me,” she said. “What is it?’ Because I don’t think there’s much difference in talent. And I remember distinctly thinking: ‘I think it’s because she’s fatter’. And then, I don’t know if it was mega-conscious, but I thought: ‘How can I get more laughs? Maybe if I was a bit fatter…’ And then suddenly I was fatter, and doing comedy.”
Wilson, who was active in tennis before becoming an actress, says that due to a hormonal imbalance she can put on weight quite easily. She also admits that when she’s on a break from filming, she brings her weight back down.
“I’ll take six months off, and just do a total transformation,” Wilson explained. “But then, so many people go: ‘Don’t you do it!’ But I think: ‘Why not?’”
She added, “I saw my size as being an advantage whereas so many women see it as a disadvantage”.
