If you haven’t caught wind of the latest buzz, Sarah Paulson has been spotted in costume as Linda Tripp for the upcoming season of American Crime Story, titled Impeachment. This season centers around the infamous 1998 scandal involving Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. For context, Tripp was known for recording conversations with Lewinsky to expose the affair.
To portray Tripp, it appears that Paulson was fitted with what some are calling a fat suit. Executive producer Ryan Murphy claims she gained weight for the role, making it an alleged fat suit. However, there are no visible photos of Paulson in her natural mid-size form. While I’m not disputing that she may have gained weight, this development invites a broader discussion about the use of fat suits in Hollywood.
The Case Against Fat Suits
The concept of using fat suits should be put to rest. There is simply no justification for a thin actor to take on the role of a heavier character, even if weight change is part of the storyline. When characters age in films or shows, different actors are cast for various life stages without causing confusion. The same logic applies to weight changes.
Audiences are capable of suspending disbelief and understanding that two actors of different sizes can portray the same character at different points in their life. Thus, there’s no need for fat suits. In fact, for this particular season of American Crime Story, a fat suit was entirely unnecessary since Linda Tripp was not exceptionally overweight. By Hollywood standards, she may not fit the mold of conventional beauty, but she was an average-sized woman for her age and position in the late nineties.
If Paulson’s acting abilities are essential to embodying Linda Tripp, she can do so without additional padding or weight gain. A 90s hairstyle and wardrobe would suffice to convey her character. If the casting choice hinged on physical resemblance, Paulson should not have been considered for the role, as there are numerous talented actresses in the same size range who could have played Tripp authentically.
The Broader Issue of Representation
It’s worth noting that the issue of casting in Hollywood extends beyond just the use of fat suits. The industry has a long history of casting white actors in roles meant for people of color, non-disabled actors in disabled roles, and exploiting actors with dwarfism. While the representation of mid-size and larger actors is one of many concerns, it is an important discussion worth having.
Whether Sarah Paulson gained weight as claimed or wore a fat suit, this choice was simply uncalled for. If the industry prioritized showcasing diverse body types, they could easily find a talented actress whose body aligns with the character they want to portray. So why is it acceptable for Paulson to depict Linda Tripp using prosthetics or weight gain, yet another actress of similar size is overlooked for the role? It’s time for Hollywood to reflect the reality of diverse body types, as people come in all shapes and sizes.
Additional Resources
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In summary, the decision to use a fat suit or weight gain in portraying Linda Tripp raises essential questions about body representation in Hollywood. There are ample talented actresses available that fit the character’s size, and the industry must do better to reflect the diversity of real-world body types.