From Obese to Actor - Making my dreams come true thanks to WLS!!!!!!!!
You don't find your post only slightly insulting to people who are MO, and totally self indulgent. Anyone of any weight, size, color, etc can be an actor. Why you didn't follow your dream into the swamp prior to losing weight is beyond me, but to imply now that you have you are somehow more employable is very wrong, especially amongst the community of people who are dealing with weight issues. My favorite actress by far is Melissa McCarthy, thankfully she didn't worry about her weight in pursuit of her dream. Same can be said for Adele.
I appreciate your candor. All I was trying to say is that before I had WLS (Lap Band in 2009) I didn't have the self esteem or balls to personally follow through with my dream of being an actor.
As I lost weight, my confidence and self esteem continued to increase and I started taking baby steps to make it happen. One thing led to another and eventually to the "Swamp" as you put it. I didn't follow my dream before because I was disgusted with myself and my self esteem showed it.
Melissa McCarthy & Adele are very BEAUTIFUL WOMEN and very talented and very comfortable with who they are - I was not. Drew Carey, Kevin James, James Gandolfini - All talent actors.
Could I have done it as a bigger guy at my highest weight of 325lbs - of course, but I didn't have the guts to go for it. Having my WLS helped me mentally and physically in many ways, this career choice is just one of them. I am a member of this community and still overweight by about 40lbsl. Slightly insulting, if that is your opinion - that's fine - I accept it as your opinion and know it's not mine. Self Indulgent - sure, I will own that. I was excited about my premiere and wanted to share it. To get some kudos and maybe even inspire someone. Why? If it wasn't for someone I met in 2008 who was doing a bit of "bragging" for themselves from their own WLS journey I probably wouldn't have had my lap band when I did.
It is too bad you were not willing to pursue your dreams when you were overweight. I also felt a little insulted by your initial post. I have been acting in community and collegiate theatre for years now. My last role was Chris Gorman in "Rumors", described in the script as an attractive woman in her thirties. I am sure Neil Simon didn't imagine an actress with a BMI of 40! It's not professional work but I already have a good career, and no real desire to pursue professional acting jobs.
