Give it to shock jock, Howard Stern, for saying what many people were probably thinking. Oprah and all the fans of Precious applauded Gabourey Sidibe’s performance in Precious, but all seemed to ignore that Hollywood is a size conscious place. With stars like Queen Latifah –who had a breast reduction–early in her Hollywood career, Oscar winner Mo’Nique losing bunches of pounds and hey, winning an Oscar afterward, how much you weigh definitely has made a difference in Hollywood.  Many other stars white, black, and otherwise have said that they can’t get work when they are over a size 2, so how is it that Gabourey Sidibe will have the “Cinderella” career that Oprah has espoused? It’d be wonderful. Sure. But old prejudices die hard. Perhaps screenwriters and producers will begin to write characters and support films for actresses that look like Gabourey. Or perhaps, when casting a role they’ll stop casting the typical 5’7″ 105lb chick. Maybe. I’d love to see it.

Truthfully, though, the decision of how Gabourey’s career will shape up is in her hands as much as it is also in the theater buying public’s hands.

Americans, typically, have been loathesome to look at anyone who was not “Malibu Girl” beautiful.

Beautiful black actresses like Halle Berry, Paula Patton, and Vivica Fox have all spoken of the lack of consideration that they are given for roles when the producer or the Hollywood engine thinks a white actress should play the role. Again, these are black women who are beautiful in their own right. As they fight the color line, how does Gabourey fight the size line?

So many successful celebrities including Jennifer Anniston and Tina Fey both admit to how their careers improved once they lost weight. I believe Jennifer Anniston said something to the effect, “The roles all of a sudden came pouring in.” I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea. If I were one to give Gabourey advice, I don’t know if I’d say keep the weight on and see if you can change people’s perceptions about those who are overweight or if I would say lose weight so that your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes will go down. Because I lean on the side of being health conscious, I would probably suggest the latter. Anyway, can one actress and all of her fans really tip the scales of Hollywood in her favor?  I’ll be watching. What do you think?