Rebel Wilson, best known for her role as “Fat Amy” in the Pitch Perfect movies, has reflected on how the role impacted her health. Wilson, during her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, shared her weight loss journey that started in 2020. She revealed that her contract for the Universal franchise prevented her from making drastic changes to her weight while playing Fat Amy. Wilson explained that she “couldn’t lose a massive amount of weight” due to the contract that prohibited her from losing or gaining more than 10 pounds. This contract, in turn, made it challenging for her to pursue weight loss, which had an impact on her health.
Despite being an important part of her career, Wilson expressed her frustration at being typecast as the “funny, fat friend,” which made it challenging to land other roles in Hollywood. The character was both loved and stereotyped, and the pressure of adhering to a contract that prohibited her from losing weight caused mental and physical stress. Although she enjoyed playing Fat Amy, Wilson wanted to pursue other roles and expand her repertoire.
After a visit to a fertility doctor, Wilson decided to focus on her health. The doctor advised her that she would have a better chance of conceiving if she became healthier. This revelation made her “re-examine” things, including her love life and health, which led her to lose weight. She eventually lost 80 pounds, but her team was not happy with her weight loss as they worried it could negatively affect her acting career. Nonetheless, Wilson’s health journey has been an inspiration to many who have been encouraged to pursue healthier lifestyles.
In November 2022, Wilson announced the birth of her first child, a daughter named Royce, via surrogate. The actress had planned on having a baby before she began dating her current girlfriend Ramona Agruma, and she said Agruma was very supportive throughout the process. Having the baby brought them closer together, and Wilson has continued to inspire and advocate for healthy lifestyles and body positivity.
Rebel Wilson’s journey as an actress and her weight loss journey demonstrates the impact of societal pressure and the entertainment industry’s role in perpetuating stereotypes. Wilson’s experience with being typecast and how it affected her health underscores the importance of promoting body positivity and dismantling the narrow stereotypes that limit actors and actresses’ roles. Wilson’s determination to prioritize her health and pursue her goals while staying true to her identity serves as an inspiration to others.