Hey, curvy besties! So, usually, I love to sit and talk with you all about fun topics, but today, we have a big bone to pick with reality TV and its lack of representation of plus size contestants on dating shows.
Like ew, David…catch up!
Reality TV Continues To Miss The Mark
Reality TV, especially dating shows, often miss the mark. While striving to reflect society, they stumble over inclusivity. Be it plus size contestants, Black contestants, or those with other diverse backgrounds, reality TV has a skewed representation. These shows are guilty of portraying a narrow vision of love and attractiveness. They set unrealistic beauty standards that exclude so many of us. And it’s time we talked about why plus size contestants on dating shows are almost non-existent. Do plus size contestants not deserve the chance to find love on TV?
When plus-size viewers tune into dating shows, they don’t see themselves. Instead, they see a parade of smaller, conventionally attractive people finding love. I love that for smaller sizes, but what about us? This lack of representation sends a damaging message: that plus-size individuals are not worthy of romance. It’s disheartening and unfair. And the rare times they bring an ounce of diversity to our screen, the show itself wants to be praised. Reality TV should inspire and entertain, but it often falls short for those who don’t fit the mold.
The Lack Of Representation Of Plus Size Contestants On Dating Shows
When a plus size contestant appears, their portrayal often focuses on weight. It’s as if their size is their only trait. Society deems anyone above a certain size as unhealthy, even if that’s not the case and was proven not to be the case. After the show, there’s immense pressure on these contestants to lose weight. Their worth becomes tied to their size rather than their personality or qualities.
This obsession with weight loss is damaging. It implies that a plus-size contestant’s primary goal should be to become thinner. We need to break this cycle. Plus size contestants on dating shows deserve to be there for love, not just as token figures or weight loss stories.
Let’s look at some dating shows that need to do better:
The Bachelor
“The Bachelor” is notorious for its lack of body diversity. Season after season, the cast is full of conventionally attractive, thin people. There was some hope when “The Bachelorette” featured Luke Pell, who had a more muscular build. But he wasn’t exactly plus size, and the show didn’t dive deeper into body diversity. It’s time for “The Bachelor” franchise to embrace more inclusive casting.
Love Island
“Love Island” is another culprit. The show prides itself on drama and romance but fails to include plus size contestants. The focus remains on chiseled bodies and bikinis. The closest they got was with contestants Alexandra Cane and Anna Vakili. Cane, who has since become a natural body healing coach and trauma-informed healer, faced immense pressure to conform. Furthermore, fans were outraged when Vakili, considered plus size, represented one spectrum of curvy. Yes, they count as representation, but don’t reflect the full diversity of plus size bodies. We need contestants who have more rolls or “more to love.”
OWN’s Ready To Love
I am personally in the middle with this next show because they have plenty of Black representation, which I love; however, they do not have that much plus size representation. OWN’s “Ready To Love” is a show that’s closer to getting it right. It showcases a beautiful representation of Black people and plus size contestants (only two, I believe). The show demonstrates that love and attraction come in all shapes and sizes. However, it remains an exception in an industry that largely ignores plus size individuals.
A Call To Action
We need more plus size contestants on dating shows. They aren’t just good enough for weight loss shows or as rare exceptions. They deserve to feel seen, to find love, and to be celebrated for who they are. Reality TV can do better. The portrayal on these platforms shapes societal views and personal self-worth. Plus size individuals are not secondary characters in the story of love. They are the main characters, too.
So, reality TV, it’s time to step up. Plus size contestants on dating shows need to be a norm, not a novelty. We all deserve a shot at winning someone’s heart and having ours won. Let’s push for more inclusivity and show the world that love truly knows no size.
