'Sierra Burgess Is A Loser' Is Offensive To Plus Size Teens | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
popular

As A Plus Size Woman, 'Sierra Burgess Is A Loser' Is Offensive And I'm Not Here For It

The first teenage plus size romcom and she can only get the guy through catfishing? Rude.

1831
As A Plus Size Woman, 'Sierra Burgess Is A Loser' Is Offensive And I'm Not Here For It
https://www.instagram.com/noahcxpeterk/

As of now, most teenage girls have watched "Sierra Burgess Is A Loser" on Netflix, probably because we all have a love for high school romances and Noah Centineo's face. I was interested in the film after watching "To All The Boys I Loved Before" because it was the definition of a fantastic teen love story. So, when I saw another Netflix love story that also featured Noah Centineo, I was all in. However, the film was right, Sierra Burgess is a loser. The film had a perfect opportunity to showcase a plus size teen girl dealing with relationships in high school but turned into a catfishing fiasco stuffed with backhanded confidence and offensive underlying messages.

1. She is introduced as an average teenage girl. 

http://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com

The film begins with Sierra getting ready for the day. As she gets out of the shower, they show a shot of her feet, which is something not everyone pays much attention to. However, for me, I notice that her legs and ankles aren't super tiny, which is something I can relate to because I am also a plus size teen. She looks at herself in the mirror, wet hair and all, and positively affirms herself, something that I totally appreciate. If the film would've continued on this route, I would've loved it.

2. The bullying is unnecessary. 

https://maggieandbeth.tumblr.com/

What's a high school movie without some bullying? Well, in this case, it is so unnecessary. Sierra gets bullied for her appearance but only by the classic mean girl, Veronica. No one else really seems to care about her appearance. She isn't ugly, Sierra was actually fairly pretty. Sure, she was a little awkward but why does the attention of being plus size always have to be taken in a negative way?

3. Meeting Jamey was actually meant to make fun of her. 

http://bcnoist.tumblr.com/

The whole reason Sierra even gets Jamey's number is that Veronica was making fun of her. I understand that this was just a part of the bullying but the entire situation was doomed from the beginning. After Sierra realized that Jamey was not actually expecting to talk to her, she should have admitted the truth. Who knows? Maybe he would've liked her? I mean it was her personality that won him over, even if he was imagining Veronica's face.

4. The whole basis behind the lying was because she was ashamed of her appearance. 

http://livelovecaliforniadreams.tumblr.com

Again, going back to her appearance, SIERRA WAS NOT UNATTRACTIVE. However, the classic skinny, popular girl seemed more appealing, yet I do believe that if Jamey knew it was actually Sierra, he would have been down for it. But, because her hair, her makeup, and her body isn't "perfect," she feels the need to lie.

If I watched this movie as an insecure teenager, what would it have taught me? That if you don't look like a Veronica and more like a Sierra, the best option is to lie about who you truly are. Um, no. Wrong answer.

5. Then, she has this crazy breakdown. 

https://adrideran.tumblr.com/post/

Honey, no. We all understand that everyone has insecurities, but what happened to the magnificent beast at the beginning of the film? Where did she go?

Go and get your Jamey already, be proud of your appearance. You're great.

6. "You're not exactly everyone's type, but you're my type."

https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/

I'm sorry, but no girl wants to hear, "You're not exactly everyone's type." I know that is endearing because he actually ends up liking her. Yet, why was that necessary whatsoever? If you like her, you like her. There was absolutely no need to bring up her insecurities. I just think that this should not have been the resolution. I believe there was a perfect opportunity for him to say something like, "I like you because you're you," or "You're perfect to me." His approach just seems like a backhanded compliment.

At the end of the day, sure, Jamey and Sierra end up together. However, why does a movie about a plus size girl have to only cater to her personality? I'm sorry, but this is showing a completely negative light on the topic.

It tells plus size girls that they will only be loved for their personality and not their appearance. But, I would like to say, all women are beautiful and I want to see a movie where the boy falls for her, for all of her, not just for her personality. Make that and I guarantee it would have done WAY better than this mess of a movie. Even comparing it to "To All The Boys I Loved Before," she wasn't perfect. Lara Jean was quiet, shy, and very reserved. She was beautiful but not known for being the prettiest girl at school. In fact, she usually went unnoticed. However, she still gets the hot jock that everyone teenage girl dreams of.

Overall, "Sierra Burgess Is A Loser" had the potential to inspire young women, yet I finished the movie feeling more insecure than when I started.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179236
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6401
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451913
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22968
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments