'A Fat Rant' Makes Actress Joy Nash a Star

Actress Joy Nash became an internet sensation after posting a video on YouTube urging fat people to not limit their opportunities because of their size. The video titled "A Fat Rant" has received over 829,000 hits since its March 17 debut.

The monologue she delivers during the video was written nearly six years ago at the University of Southern California during an acting class. Nash said that in part her monologue was influenced by a good friend who was then dying of brain cancer.

It wasn't until six months ago, however, that Nash filmed the piece as a clip for her acting resume and put it up on the video sharing site YouTube. She said she decided to film the piece because there aren't many good pieces available for fat women.

In the video, Nash talks about all aspects of being fat in society, including dating, fear of being a social outcast, even shopping dilemmas.

For stores that don't carry her size, size 18 she suggests actions speak louder than words. "Protest with your pocketbooks, people," Nash urges on the video. "Shop at stores that sell halter tops in Triple X."

She also takes issues with fat people character stereotypes saying in the video, "I'm fat, and it's OK. It doesn't mean I'm stupid or ugly or lazy or selfish. I'm fat."

Nash pokes fun at people who assume fat people sit in front of the television all day gorging themselves on junk food. Or well meaning friends that assure her that she doesn't look "that fat."

She also urges fat people to not limit their activities due to size. In the video she poses briefly in a swimsuit to illustrate the point. She also notes that many fat people may wrongly believe that someone does not like them due to their weight, and not other factors.

According to the video, Nash is 5' 8" tall and weighs 224 pounds. This weight gives Nash a BMI of 34.1, classifying her as moderately obese.

However, despite her weight, Nash says she maintains a healthy diet and exercises regularly. During her video she states, "Obviously diet and exercise are vital. I am saying that if you do those things - eat right and exercise - and you still aren't thin, your life is not over."

According to Fox News the personal mail Nash has received about her video has been mostly positive. However, some emails have accused her of being in denial about her size and the health risks it presents.

SOURCES:

Bonisteel, Sara, "Actress Makes Big Waves on the Net With 'Fat Rant' Video." Fox News!. URL: (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,281655,00.html)

Nash, Joy, "A Fat Rant." YouTube. URL: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUTJQIBI1oA)