New TV series 'Insatiable' is accused of 'fat-shaming' with 'toxic' message

Debby Ryan plays the lead character, Patty, in "Insatiable."

The new Netflix series “Insatiable” won't be released until August, but the first trailer for the show is already generating plenty of debate.

“Insatiable” tells the story of Patty (played by Debby Ryan), a high school student who is bullied and ignored because of her size. But after she spends the summer with her jaw wired shut because of an injury, she drops a dramatic amount of weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=z-81WVD8xTs

When Patty returns to school, she is suddenly thin and conventionally “hot” — and she’s determined to exact revenge on everyone who once mistreated her.

Many people are accusing the show of fat-shaming and promoting unhealthy stereotypes. Some say the show perpetuates a “toxic” message because Patty only finds a sense of self-worth and empowerment once she becomes thin.

“It's basically saying that in order to be confident, you have to lose weight,” Kate Lopez, 24, who wrote a powerful Twitter thread about the show, told TODAY Style in an email. “It's really a toxic mindset, especially since we have so many people that struggle with their bodies.

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“I feel like this would have made for (a) better story if you used a plus-sized girl to begin with, didn't show her dropping weight to gain confidence and come out on top and showed her rising above and overcoming her bullies,” Lopez added.