Fat Pizza creator Paul Fenech has expressed his shock and hurt over Rebel Wilson’s recent allegations against the hit Australian SBS comedy series.
In her upcoming memoir, Wilson, 44, accused the show of making her the butt of “fatphobic” jokes and criticized the work environment she was a part of early in her career.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Fenech, 51, expressed his disappointment with Wilson’s portrayal of his time on the SBS show, categorizing his comments as ungrateful.
‘Rebel was happy building a career playing Hollywood’s big girl, now she says we did her wrong? We gave her a start, took her around the world, gave her stage training and film and television opportunities. How ungrateful,” she stated, openly challenging Wilson’s narrative.
Fenech, who has long been known for giving newcomers their chance in the industry, was particularly offended by Wilson’s comments, suggesting they were aimed at boosting book sales rather than reflecting the reality of her experience. .
Fat Pizza creator Paul Fenech has expressed his shock and hurt over Rebel Wilson’s recent allegations against the hit Australian SBS comedy series.
Wilson, in her upcoming memoir, accused the show of making her the butt of “fatphobic” jokes and criticized the work environment she was a part of early in her career.
“I guess he’ll do or say anything to sell a book,” Fenech said, questioning the authenticity of Wilson’s claims.
The Fat Pizza creator defended his and the show’s support of Wilson early in his career, emphasizing the creative freedom and opportunities he was given.
And he added: ‘We always took care of her and gave her the creative freedom she needed. But she looks at the end of the day. No, thanks. No gratitude (and calling us) fatphobic?’
‘Rebel made her career in Hollywood playing the big girl. And now suddenly Fat Pizza treated her badly? It is painful and disgusting for me to hear this,’ Fenech expressed, highlighting her shock and disappointment at the accusations.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, Fenech, 51, expressed his disappointment with Wilson’s portrayal of his time on the SBS show, categorizing his comments as ungrateful.
Wilson’s allegations emerged ahead of the release of her book Rebel Rising: A Memoir, which is scheduled for release on April 2.
In her book, she details the alleged struggles she faced at Fat Pizza, as well as speaking generally about her battle with body image and the sexism she encountered in the industry.
Her candid account reveals her mother’s disapproval and alleged professional contempt from her male colleagues, which she faced despite refusing to conform to the toxic beauty standards of the time.
‘Rebel was happy building a career playing Hollywood’s big girl, now she says we did her wrong? We gave her a start, took her around the world, gave her stage training and film and television opportunities. How ungrateful,” she stated, openly challenging Wilson’s narrative.
Her role in the SBS comedy as Toula, the “overweight girlfriend” of a character named Habib, became a turning point in her career.
Despite the nature of the role, Wilson saw it as an opportunity to break molds in the film industry.
“I flaunt my fat stomach on national television, deliberately making myself look bad for comedic effect,” Wilson shared in an exclusive excerpt obtained by The Herald of the Sunhighlighting how far he went to make his mark on the industry.
The memoir also details the isolation and loneliness Wilson endured, exacerbated by a “dangerous relationship with food.”
Her role in the SBS comedy as Toula, the ‘overweight girlfriend’ of a character named Habib, became a turning point in her career.
Her commitment to her character, even in the face of her mother’s refusal to watch the show, shows her determination to succeed on her own terms.
However, this path was fraught with challenges, as Wilson claimed she was subjected to “many, many derogatory jokes about my size and appearance” on set.
Wilson’s narrative goes beyond her personal battle with body image to include her fight against sexism in the film industry as a whole.
Despite the alleged derogatory treatment, she persevered and used her humor and talent to gain access to what she described as a “special men’s club.”
“I flaunt my fat stomach on national television, deliberately making myself look bad for comic effect,” Wilson shares in an exclusive excerpt obtained by The Herald Sun, highlighting the lengths to which he went to make his mark on the industry.
“I felt like the girl who had gained access to a special club for men; I was very clear about what they thought was funny and I went with it. I was on a boys’ show, so I had to take their fatphobic jokes directly to my chin,” he remembered.
However, he alleged that this access came at the cost of enduring “fatophobic jokes” and striving to prove himself.
“I knew the jokes weren’t directed at me personally; my role was to be the big fat whale who made people laugh, and I was willing to play with that,” she added.
Rebel was determined to give “depth” to Toula’s character and said she improvised her own lines and fought to get more screen time.