Six in the Six: Nicole Arbour, creator of “Dear Fat People”
Nicole Arbour’s controversial fat-shaming screed, “Dear Fat People,” has made her the most hated woman on YouTube even as the video continues to rack up views—over six million, at last count. She’s not apologizing for anything. Here, the Raptors-dancer-turned-internet-auteur defends her a-hole screen presence and explains why everyone just needs to relax.
You’re a thin, attractive former Raptors dancer. Do you see how a video in which you condemn and criticize fat people has made people angry?
Of course I do. I think we have all become way too sensitive. I’m sorry to everyone that has ever told a blond joke before, but now it’s coming back at you. In the videos I’m playing my “rant character,” which is basically my version of every funny, a-hole guy in movies where I would be cast as the girl standing beside him, who is probably a waitress and probably has to be topless at some point, because that’s what happens to girls in movies. I’m being that guy.
So is it That Guy who doesn’t believe that fat shaming is a real thing, or is it Nicole?
Me as me believes wholeheartedly that everything needs to be made fun of equally. Donald Trump might be president soon, Kanye and Taylor are new best friends. The end of the world is coming and we all just need to relax.
It just seems like public figures make more reasonable targets than an entire group of people who are so frequently and ignorantly disparaged.
Everyone feels pain and has insecurities. Life isn’t easy for anyone. I was disabled for five years after a serious car accident. I was in bed and was told I might never walk again. Someone like me has experienced real pain. I think we need to be able to shake words off and realize that words are not real pain. Words shouldn’t hurt, and I think that’s an issue.
Do you have any overweight friends? If so, are they pretty p.o.-ed at you?
None of my friends are mad, and I have friends of every shape and size. They laugh because they can’t believe that people don’t understand that it’s an act, that it’s a character.
Do you, Nicole, think that character is an a-hole?
Oh my god—yes. One hundred percent. I love movies with Vince Vaughan, I love Loius C.K, I love Ricky Gervais. That comedy zone that is just about letting my a-hole flag fly. That’s not how I act in real life.
Those are some pretty legendary comic icons. What about critics who say the problem with the “Dear Fat People” video is that it’s simply not funny?
That’s subjective. If somebody doesn’t find me funny, I don’t find them relevant. I don’t listen to the haters. I have a lot of fans and I do it for them.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/nicole-arbour-dear-fat-people/&title=Six in the Six: Nicole Arbour, creator of “Dear Fat People”&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nicole-arbour.jpg&description=Nicole Arbour's controversial fat-shaming screed, "Dear Fat People," has made her the most hated woman on YouTube even as the video continues to rack up views—over six million, at last count. She’s not apologizing for anything. Here, the Raptors-dancer-turned-internet-auteur defends her a-hole screen presence and explains why everyone just needs to relax.
You’re a thin, attractive former Raptors dancer. Do you see how a video in which you condemn and criticize fat people has made people angry?
Of course I do. I think we have all become way too sensitive. I’m sorry to everyone that has ever told a blond joke before, but now it’s coming back at you. In the videos I’m playing my “rant character,” which is basically my version of every funny, a-hole guy in movies where I would be cast as the girl standing beside him, who is probably a waitress and probably has to be topless at some point, because that’s what happens to girls in movies. I’m being that guy.
So is it That Guy who doesn’t believe that fat shaming is a real thing, or is it Nicole?
Me as me believes wholeheartedly that everything needs to be made fun of equally. Donald Trump might be president soon, Kanye and Taylor are new best friends. The end of the world is coming and we all just need to relax.
It just seems like public figures make more reasonable targets than an entire group of people who are so frequently and ignorantly disparaged.
Everyone feels pain and has insecurities. Life isn’t easy for anyone. I was disabled for five years after a serious car accident. I was in bed and was told I might never walk again. Someone like me has experienced real pain. I think we need to be able to shake words off and realize that words are not real pain. Words shouldn’t hurt, and I think that’s an issue.
Do you have any overweight friends? If so, are they pretty p.o.-ed at you?
None of my friends are mad, and I have friends of every shape and size. They laugh because they can’t believe that people don’t understand that it’s an act, that it’s a character.
Do you, Nicole, think that character is an a-hole?
Oh my god—yes. One hundred percent. I love movies with Vince Vaughan, I love Loius C.K, I love Ricky Gervais. That comedy zone that is just about letting my a-hole flag fly. That’s not how I act in real life.
Those are some pretty legendary comic icons. What about critics who say the problem with the "Dear Fat People" video is that it's simply not funny?
That’s subjective. If somebody doesn’t find me funny, I don’t find them relevant. I don’t listen to the haters. I have a lot of fans and I do it for them.
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There’s a real problem in Toronto that’s disgustingly un-Canadian. Suddenly it’s “Your right to offend”, because I think I need to, not because it’s funny. I hear in the morning on the Fan 590, along with some race baiting, and just shut it off. It’s disappointing and un-Canadian and people need to call it out. Show some intelligence. You’re Canadian. We’re inclusive. It’s not funny or Canadian to point at someone and laugh as we’re know and beloved for their politeness. It’s no problem to laugh, if you’re laughing with people, that’s the intelligence. Nicole Arbour just looks like an idiot.
The most offensive part of this woman is that she is criminally unfunny.
I have no interest in seeing this video, but maybe she can bring forth some background, logic or intelligence to her “comedy” rather than commenting on our sensitivity levels and ignoring “the haters”. She really does appear like a dummy in this interview.
Brains and decency are parceled out unevenly at birth and in both cases this mean girl was badly shortchanged. If this is ‘comedy’ and not just a vicious rant by a clueless jerk, please describe someone who finds it funny.
A shame you’re giving this poisonous troll any publicity at all.
Could she be trying to rip off Jenna Marbles (albeit badly) any more?
While I respect your right to determine how Canadians should be and act I think the only true fact about Canadians is that we are diverse in our cultures but we make it work harmoniously (Source: diversity stats). The biggest problem I have is that this woman is just simply not funny. End of. She is as humerous as a wake and when people like Toronto Life jump on the bandwagon well after this cart-horse has been beaten to a pulp…it just extends her 15 minutes. Direct your anger at Toronto Life. They need to stop publishing articles about un-funny hacks looking to extend their time in the pseudo-spotlight. Did I mention she’s also not funny?
Dear Nicole – you’re at 14 minutes and 55 seconds……hope you enjoyed the ride.
Nicole, I lauged my fat ass off. ignore the haters, and anytime you wanna share a large, all-dressed pizza with a side of cheesy poutaine, let me know. You’re also stunningingly beautifully HOT!!!