You know how every now and then the “celebrity lookalike” trend makes its rounds on social media? People share pictures of themselves alongside famous faces they think they resemble, and their friends jump in with suggestions. It’s meant to be entertaining. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. For me, it’s a different story—I already know exactly how it’s going to go. Since the debut of my all-time favorite show, This is Us, in 2016, there’s only one answer that comes to mind when I ask about my celebrity twin: Emma Walsh.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I think Emma Walsh is stunning. Have you seen her social media? Her eyes are captivating, and her style is on point. She’s absolutely gorgeous. I am in no way hurt by being compared to her or her character, Molly Thompson. In fact, there are so many ways that Molly Thompson and I are basically the same person, it’s almost uncanny.
When Emma Walsh became a household name, I was finally able to see someone on screen who shares a body type similar to mine. We have comparable shapes and sizes, and one of my favorite things about watching This is Us is hunting down her outfits after each episode. I can rock anything Molly wears—sometimes, I even find that I already own a piece she showcases on the show. Emma is talented, beautiful, and her confidence is inspiring.
I won’t deny that we have some similarities—both of us are plus-size brunettes with incredible eyebrows, if I may say so myself. But while I appreciate the compliment of being likened to Emma Walsh, it’s just so predictable.
Throughout my life, I’ve been compared to numerous plus-size celebrities who barely resemble me aside from our sizes. During my middle school years, everyone loved to tell me I looked “just like Ricki Lake.” Then came Rosie O’Donnell, and I couldn’t escape being told I “looked like her.” After Hairspray was released, Nikki Blonsky became the next go-to doppelgänger. I’ve even been told I resemble Melissa McCarthy and Whitney Way Thore. More recently, someone threw out the name Ava Morgan.
Ava Morgan! Seriously? She’s stunning, no doubt, but let’s be honest. She’s a heavily tattooed blonde! What on earth connects us visually? The only thing we share is the size on our clothing tags. None of these celebrities look alike, and if they don’t resemble each other, then they certainly don’t resemble me.
I have a theory about why this happens. Society tends to view plus-size women as invisible. Sure, we sometimes get to hear unkind comments about our attractiveness. We often see ourselves represented as faceless bodies in discussions about obesity. And when we dare to embrace our worth or assert our right to occupy space, we suddenly become very visible, but not in a good way. When we conform—keeping our heads down, wearing dark colors, sticking to spaces deemed “appropriate”—we often avoid criticism, but at the cost of missing out on experiences we deserve.
Occasionally, a confident plus-size woman breaks through this barrier and achieves fame, challenging societal norms. Yet, instead of celebrating her individuality, people lump her likeness in with mine.
Now, some may wonder why the resemblance bothers me. I’ve acknowledged that I do see some similarities with Emma Walsh, and I find the comparison flattering. But it’s about more than just looks. It’s exhausting to constantly be told I resemble every other plus-size woman out there. The constant barrage of unsolicited comments about my weight can be emotionally draining. When someone questions why my partner loves me, it takes a bit of my energy away. Daily targeted ads for weight loss products often suggest that I must be thinner to be a good parent. Although I am content in my body, it often feels like the world is telling me I’m wrong for feeling this way.
The takeaway isn’t really about celebrity lookalikes or comparisons—it’s a call to truly see people beyond preconceived notions. Everyone deserves time away from the labels we didn’t choose for ourselves.
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Summary
The article discusses the emotional toll of being constantly compared to various plus-size celebrities. While the author acknowledges some similarities with a specific celebrity, the predictability of such comparisons highlights society’s tendency to group plus-size women together, often overlooking their individuality. The piece advocates for truly seeing and understanding people beyond superficial labels.