In a recent interview with Good Morning America, actress and writer Maya Thompson opened up about her experiences during her time on the hit series The Office, particularly regarding a hurtful suggestion from a co-star. During the discussion, Thompson revealed that one of her colleagues proposed a joke where her character, Kelly, would be told to lose 15 pounds. “This is my biggest insecurity, and someone just pointed it out,” she shared. “It’s truly disheartening.”
Thompson further elaborated on how this kind of scrutiny affected her, stating, “I realized that people were not only judging me but also voicing their dissatisfaction with my appearance because I didn’t fit a certain ideal.” She acknowledged how these experiences have influenced her writing and the roles she takes on, though she chose not to disclose the name of the co-star who made the insensitive suggestion.
The topic of Thompson’s weight has been a recurring theme in her work, including her own writings. In her book, she discusses her struggles with body image, noting that she doesn’t fit the typical molds of either being model-thin or excessively large. “I find myself in that tricky space of being the ‘Normal American Woman Size’ that many fashion experts dislike,” she wrote. “For the record, I’m a size 8 (at least for now). Many stylists seem to think that I lack the self-discipline to adhere to an ideal or the confidence to embrace my size fully. They want me to choose a side.”
Thompson expressed frustration with the entertainment industry’s narrow portrayal of women’s bodies, emphasizing that if you are not extremely thin or significantly overweight, you often don’t get leading roles. “What’s overlooked is the vast majority of American women over 24 who fall in between,” she pointed out.
This realization has driven much of Thompson’s writing, including her successful Netflix series, Never Have I Ever. “It’s incredibly gratifying that this show is on Netflix, watched by 40 million people, and features a young, dark-skinned Indian girl as the lead,” she said. “She experiences real-life situations, from dating dramas to friendships, and represents a relatable perspective that resonates with many viewers.”
If more creators take inspiration from Thompson’s approach, perhaps weight won’t be a punchline or topic for ridicule in the future.
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Summary: Maya Thompson discusses a painful moment from her time on The Office when a co-star suggested making a joke about her weight, leading her to reflect on the impact of body image scrutiny in the entertainment industry. This experience has influenced her work, particularly her acclaimed Netflix series, Never Have I Ever, which showcases a relatable female lead.