THE PLUS INDUSTRY STANDS UP TO FIGHT FOR ONE OF THEIR OWN-ERICA WATSON

 Earlier in the month, the plus industry rallied round to support one of their own, plus size comedienne Erica Watson who happened to be latest victim of size-ism.                                                                         
It was brought to Erica's attention by fans through phone and mail that TV One's new show “Love That Girl” a network targeting the African-American community showed a clip of Actress Tatyana Ali's head on Erica's body in a "before & after" weight loss photo picture for a cheap laugh ' without even receiving permission from Erica Watson nor did they receive permission from Erica’s photographer, Charlie T. who shot the photo.

                Photo credit: Charlie T

Erica who is best known for her one-woman stand up comedy show, “Fat Bitch.” A 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 reacted bitterly on her facebook, in her own words she said; 'I feel so hurt and disrespected. The TVOne shoe 'Love That Girl' starring Tatyana Ali used my picture from the neck down, WITHOUT MY PERMISSION to make a fat joke. .....What can i do about this? So ignorant and uncalled for. 
 
     The photo


Following up to this, the plus size community and woman everywhere rouse and rallied together to support Miss Watson condemning the act by TV show.After receiving mails, fb messages and tweets all not in support of the humiliating stunt, TV One released the following statement of apology:

'TV One was unaware that “Love That Girl’s” production company used a flier in Monday night’s episode that we now understand included an unauthorized image of Erica Watson. The producers of the comedy have taken the material out of the show, and we have taken it off of our website. We offer our sincere apologies to Erica Watson and are especially sorry that it has caused offense and resulted in hurt feelings when TV One has always worked to present a positive and inclusive portrayal of black Americans of all sizes and shapes, ages and cultural backgrounds'.


Erica however expresses her sincere appreciation to the everyone and the plus size community for their love and support. Among those who posted comments of support on her fb status was Elsie-Coco, the Founder/Publisher of BIG SISTER Magazine, in her words, she said; 'It was about time they apologized, ENOUGH of the disrespect. This is one of the typical reason that brought about the birth of Big Sister Magazine'.