Jen Ponton On Being A "Zaftig Thespian"
The Zaftig Thespian, Jen Ponton, has a fabulous interview up at Plus Model Magazine, about being a fat actress. And not the self-loathing, Jenny Craig joining, Kirstie Alley kind, either.
Jennifer Jonassen: Any dream roles?
Jen Ponton: My dream role? I have the soul of a leading lady, not a sidekick–so a dream role ?(that doesn’t yet exist) would be a FABULOUS fat leading lady who is successful, comfortable in her body, in love (or on her way there)… just like any other starlet. The more we see fat women in those types of roles, the sooner it will be socially acceptable to BE fat.
Amen, sister. And I loved this answer too:
Jennifer Jonassen: How does your size help or hinder your career?
Jen Ponton: You know, being plus size really equals out to the same pros and cons as if I were slim. When there IS a role for me, my competition is nearly non-existent–but there aren’t a whole lot of roles for me. If I were slim, there would be LOADS of roles… and thousands and thousands of girls! So I actually feel that my size is a positive/neutral factor.
She’s also working on a one-woman show called “Fat Chicks Don’t Get Plotlines.” Jen, you are awesome, gorgeous, and inspirational. The world is lucky to have you!
Posted by mo pie
Filed under: Advocacy, Art, Celebrities, Fat Positive, Kirstie Alley, Magazines, Movies, Theater, Tidbit, TV
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Sadly, as a fat actress, even this didn’t make me feel better. Maybe an interview in something mainstream…it’s just so frustrating. I spent four years and oodles of dollars getting a degree at a top theatre school, busted my chops in NYC for 7 years and still can’t do better than sidekick roles or roles for women much older than I am (and I look really young!)
The coup de grace though, was auditioning for a role in Fat Pig. The lead is fat, I’m fat, yay! Not fat enough. I’m too fat for most roles, not fat enough for the fat ones.
I’m venting ;-) But I’m thisclose to just giving up.
Don’t give up, love. It’s important to keep going going going even when it feels pointless. Jen is my friend from college (we studied theater together) and Jen is super mega talented, but you know what – she never gives up! I did and now I am 4 years out of college and I have nada to show for it because of it. I am getting back into it, but it’s harder now than if I had just kept on going when I felt like giving up. I’m not preaching I just wanted to give you my experience so you could avoid it if possible. “Break a Leg!” <3
PS. I also struggle with body image issues and it's a constant battle but one that can make you sharp and aware…If you embrace who you truly are, and not what people see to judge.
GO JEN!!!!!!!!!!!
Mo Pie, I am a tool–I JUST found this–and only because a friend had Googled me and found it! I’m so glad you liked it!
<3 Jen/Zaftige
First of all shout out to all the Ramapo people who have stumbled upon this.
Second, I want to say that doing what you love is the most important thing you can do for yourself. It doesn’t matter what you look like, someday the entertainment industry will realize that people come in all shapes and sizes. Just look at history and cultures, did you know that in some cultures it is considered sexy for a woman to be plus sized. Besides, we are more than just the sum of our parts, what makes us who we really are is something much deeper.
I have to say that Jen has got that kind of personality to light up a room and that is what is she conveys to the audience in what ever role she plays, that is why audiences are drawn to her presence, or at least I am.
I leave you with this parting thought.
POTATOS!