“Survival of the Thickest” Star Michelle Buteau Says Professor Once Told Her She Was 'Too Fat to Be on Camera’ (Exclusive)
“Survival of the Thickest” Star Michelle Buteau Says Professor Once Told Her She Was 'Too Fat to Be on Camera’ (Exclusive)
Raven BrunnerWed, June 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC
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Michelle Buteau attends the 57th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 28, 2026 in Pasadena, Calif. -
Michelle Buteau reveals the cruel comment she received from a college professor prior to her breakthrough in comedy
"It's not even just the industry, it is society, it is culture," she says while speaking to PEOPLE about the third and final season of Survival of the Thickest
The co-creator and star of the Netflix series will make her directorial debut in the upcoming season
Michelle Buteau had a few haters on her way to stardom.
The actress, 48, reveals the cruel comment she received from a college professor before her breakthrough in comedy while speaking to PEOPLE about the third and final season of Survival of the Thickest.
The co-creator and star of the Netflix series says she faces doubters "all the time."
"The first person was probably my parents. I told my mom at 12 or 13 or 14, I really wanted to be in a pageant or be on camera, or act or do something. And she was like, 'That's not a real job.' And now she's always just like, 'Oh man, I should have invested,' " Buteau says.
The mom of two reflects on the moment, saying, "When your kids tell you something, it's not up to us to say that's not real. It's up to us to say, 'Okay, let's see what this is and I'll help guide you anywhere I can.' "
Michelle Buteau speaks onstage during the 29th Annual Comics Come Home on Nov. 8, 2025 in Boston.
But the TV personality acknowledges that she didn't just face doubt at home. "It was also in society. I've had a college professor tell me I was too fat to be on camera. I've had an executive producer tell me I was too big to be on camera, but I'm good at writing so I could write for somebody else," she shares.
"There's so many. I've had stylists tell me that I should wear more black. It's at every corner. It's not even just the industry, it is society, it is culture. And that's why diversity matters isn't just a hashtag. It is a way to live your life because if you never see yourself, then how do you ever know you can do it?" Buteau continues.
Survival of the Thickest follows Buteau as Mavis, a Black plus-size stylist and designer.
"She's determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body-positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss," a synopsis teases.
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The comedy drama, co-created by Danielle Sanchez Witzel and based on Buteau's memoir of the same name, premiered its first season in 2023.
Michelle Buteau on the set of 'Survival of the Thickest' season 3.
Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Garcelle Beauvais, Marouane Zotti and Peppermint also star.
The upcoming final chapter will welcome several special guest stars, including Wanda Sykes, D.L. Hughley, Ashley Graham, Jenna Lyons and Ice-T.
Buteau previously told PEOPLE about making her directorial debut in season 3.
"I thought, this is the safest space I'm ever going to do it in. I was able to direct an episode and it was pretty fantastic. It is not often you can find a place and gather people together that make you feel like you're at the tippy top of a rollercoaster, and you're about to go fly and you feel safe," she said.
Michelle Buteau performing comedy in 2010.
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"But somehow we were able to put all these people together who totally had my back and I have theirs. We created some really important television and the episode was very near and dear to my heart," Buteau continued.
The television star is currently on her Surviving and Thriving Tour with upcoming stops in New York City, London, Amsterdam and more.
Survival of the Thickest season 3 premieres July 2 on Netflix.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
