Though actress Gabourey Sidibe delivered an Oscar-worthy performance for her depiction of Claireece Jones in the movie 'Precious,' her weight has been a constant subject of discussion. From plus-size women applauding her emergence on the scene to people concerned for her health, everyone seems to have something to say about the curvaceous 26-year-old. Harper's Bazaar, a magazine that usually features stick-thin models and actresses in its fashion spreads, featured the rising star in its February issue.
"One day I decided that I was beautiful," she told the mag, "and so I carried out my life as if I was a beautiful girl."
The New York native, who donned a slinky red Tommy Hilfiger number for the shoot, admits to loving color, designer labels and lots of bling.
"I wear colors that I really like," she said. "I wear makeup that makes me feel pretty, and it really helps."
She also does not seem pressed to lose any weight.
"I hate yoga so much," she said. "Like if yoga was a person, I'd stab them. ...It doesn't make any sense to kill yourself, because who are you trying to be beautiful for? It's a mind game, not a body game."
Catch the rest of her interview in the February issue of Harper's Bazaar, on newsstands Tuesday.
Comments: (11)
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By: dd on 1/08/2010 11:06PM
I'm so happy for your success, but precious was a horrible and degrading movie. Good Luck on all your endeavors!!!
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By: tffnysingle on 1/13/2010 1:19PM
that movie was the truth, i know it hurts. the story needs to be heard and watch. life cant be all fun and games.
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By: Mookm988 on 1/14/2010 5:40PM
Precious isn't degrading because it is a true movie and if you would get real, you would realize that there happens to be many Preciouses in the black community that society, black society has turned their backs on. There once was a time when people were concerned about children being neglected and sexually abused but now no one cares.This type of abuse will only get worse if we don't tell on or as up north people say, snitch on the people that are doing this. When a child dies in an abusive home it's a crying shame because one little call may have saved their life or one person so call snitching may save a child's life. A child not only depend on their family to protect them but also the community to help them so as for ME I will never let a child down by not telling on their abuser, so I suppose that makes me a SNITCH.
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By: marilyn on 1/10/2010 12:12PM
This is a talented, beautiful young lady. I didn't see Presious because I too think it's too degrading and stereotypical. I do with the director and the actors much success with the awards. While I praise this young woman for her talent and confidence, I think she's way too young to be carrying all of that weight. How did she get that big and what was her mother doing? Now that Presious is done, it's time for this young lady to get serious about her health and be a true role model for other black girls. Exercise and healthy eating are the keys.
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By: Mookm988 on 1/10/2010 2:18PM
It would take a magazine like Harpers Bazaar to do a complete spread on Gabourey because it won't happen with any black owned magazines. The regular black magazines like Ebony, Jet and Essence will only put pictures of the black women that they think are beautiful and I don't ever recall any dark skined over weight black woman being on there. Now that a big major white magazine has taken the chance with her, you might see her on a black magazine but it won't be no time soon. We as black people have crazy standards when it comes to each other but the only way she will get any good exposure will be by the white magazines. Yes I said it and it's true so we as black s must face it, that is why black americans are so far behind, hurting one another when we get a little more.
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By: dmpva on 1/14/2010 2:48PM
Mookm988
I can agree with you. I am also glad that a white magagzine has taken intrest in "Gabby". She is a very smart and intelligent black woman. I do feel that with the success of "Precious" and if she wants to be considerate for other roles that it is important to look and feel your best. Losing the weight for herself would be wise decision for the ovious reason, high blood pressure and other health problems.
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By: rasfanta on 1/10/2010 6:30PM
Harper's Bazaar did this as mockery or to try to salvage a failing magazine. Believe me, they did not do this because they believe in the beauty of an overweight black woman.
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By: Mookm988 on 1/14/2010 5:40PM
You are an example of what I was saying in my comment, blacks that discriminate against other blacks because of there skin color or not having the perfect body. Harper Bazaar is a magazine that has been around for many years and it's success is not because of blacks. Yes it's a white owned magazine that happens to be successful because it tries new things which black magazines don't and that is the reason they are failing. When you hate your own people, you can't expect to be around forever. When new blacks need exposure to the community of entertainment, the white magazines are usually the ones to do it where as with black magazines will not put you on therir cover unless you are light skinned and pretty , you know to be able to look like the white models. Stop bashing a smart company and start bashing the companies that need to be bashed, the ones that discriminate against so call ugly blacks or in the black race we call them too black looking .
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By: wanda on 1/11/2010 9:53AM
The movie was degrading. DUH! That was the whole premise. Showing how a young female survived a degrading past was the rest of the movie. If you had bothered to give the movie a watch you would possibly have been inspired and more appreciative of your own blessings. As far as her weight, maybe she should address that. That is her decision and meantime it's great to know that she loves herself right now. Thats a lesson alot of you out there need to learn.
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By: Kalynn on 1/14/2010 9:39AM
I must see the movie. Sometimes art in life speaks to things that are degrading, which opens the flood gate to impact change and make make sure they are no longer degrading!
At that, whatever the motivation, while I applaud Harpers for putting her on the cover, hopefully she will be looking to loose weight soon. It's good to celebrate who you are as you look towards improving who you are!
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