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Whitney Thore’s candid reflection on a painful interview
Reality TV star Whitney Thore has recently opened up about her experience with a past interview conducted by Eamonn Holmes, labeling it the “absolute worst” encounter of her career. The 40-year-old, who gained fame through her TLC series My Big Fat Fabulous Life, has dedicated over a decade to promoting body positivity and challenging societal beauty standards.
A journey of self-acceptance
Thore’s show, which debuted in 2015 and recently completed its 12th season, chronicles her journey of self-acceptance and body positivity while navigating the complexities of life in the public eye. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various advocates, including Tess Holliday and Natalie Hage, to combat fat-shaming and dismantle harmful stereotypes about body image.
The interview that left a mark
However, a particular moment from her early career still haunts her. Thore reflected on her 2015 interview with Holmes on Sky News, where she felt judged and dismissed as he criticized her lifestyle. His comments were particularly unsettling, suggesting she was setting a poor example and questioning her health by stating, “Your heart is probably not very good.”
A firm stance against prejudice
In response to the criticism, Thore expressed her discontent, stating, “I haven’t done any UK TV shows in about 10 years, but I would gladly go on any and all of them again – except for [any with] Eamonn Holmes.” She emphasized that aside from this negative experience, her time in the UK has been overwhelmingly positive and enjoyable.
Addressing societal biases
During the contentious interview, Thore confronted Holmes about the societal biases against fat individuals. She pointed out that “fat people so often offend others in society,” calling it one of the last socially acceptable prejudices. Holmes attempted to counter her argument, expressing concern for her health and insinuating that her weight could lead to severe health issues.
Standing her ground
Despite Holmes’s insistence, Thore stood firm, reiterating her belief that concern for health can often be a guise for discrimination against overweight individuals. She stated, “I think that concern for health is often a mask to discriminate or be cruel to fat people.” Thore acknowledged the potential health risks associated with her weight but insisted she has no significant health problems, having never experienced high blood pressure.
Pressing health issues
Holmes continued to press the topic, listing various health risks while Thore appeared visibly uncomfortable. He expressed his worry for her well-being, but Thore maintained her stance on breaking stereotypes surrounding fat people. “I’d actually like to break some stereotypes about fat people,” she explained, emphasizing her enjoyment of life regardless of her size.
Holmes’ own health struggles
As fate would have it, Holmes is currently facing his own health challenges, including mobility issues following back surgery. Reports indicate that he primarily relies on a wheelchair but can manage short distances with a walker. In a candid moment, he shared his struggle, describing the past year as living with an “epidemic of pain” and revealing that he may never fully regain his mobility. These ongoing health issues have significantly impacted his life, making him unable to attend the funeral of his beloved mother, Josie, in November 2023.
A tumultuous year
Holmes conveyed his frustrations, stating, “It’s as if somebody up there is playing with my life.” Reflecting on his recent health crises, he mentioned, “In the past year, I’ve had an operation on my back which went wrong and has confined me to a wheelchair. I’ve fallen and broken my shoulder. Honestly, you could not make it up.”