Broadway actress calls out 'mean girl' reviewer after she was body-shamed
Broadway star Alysha Umphress is tearing up the stage in an off-Broadway production of Smokey Joe’s Cafe. However, New York Times critic Laura Collins-Hughes commented in her review about the actress’s size — and many are calling it body-shaming.
In the review, Collins-Hughes writes, “Ms. Umphress, by the way, is bigger than the other women onstage, and the costume designer, Alejo Vietti, doesn’t seem to have known how to work with that, dressing her in an unnecessarily unflattering way.”
While calling out bad costuming is often part of theater reviews, it seems unnecessary to point out that Umprhess is bigger than her colleagues. The actor responded to the review with a note that she tweeted.
A thought. @collinshughes @nytimes @hellerNYT #bodypositivity pic.twitter.com/JGbDzboo05
— Alysha Umphress (@Cristalzheat) July 23, 2018
Collins-Hughes responded to being called out by explaining she was only commenting on the costume design, and that designers seemed to struggle with dressing larger women. That may be the case, but is that pertinent to a review of the show, or something that should be addressed in another story?
It is in no way shameful to be big, let alone bigger than the other women onstage. My remark about the costuming reflects on the designer. This is not the first time I’ve noticed a designer seemingly at a loss about how to dress a larger woman well.
— Laura Collins-Hughes (@collinshughes) July 23, 2018
My issue was with a particular costume. It was on a human body. I said nothing negative about anyone’s body.
— Laura Collins-Hughes (@collinshughes) July 23, 2018
The Broadway community rallied to support Umphress.
Tony-nominated Brandon Uranowitz pointed out that while Collins-Hughes had attempted to explain herself, she still hasn’t apologized for the hurt she caused Umphress.
Also @collinshughes has magically found the energy to respond to so many others re: this issue, but has yet to apologize to @Cristalzheat for bluntly misrepresenting herself in her terrible writing. Or does this “pro-woman” angle have a ceiling? Asking for a friend named Alysha.
— Brandon Uranowitz (@BranUran) July 24, 2018
One of her co-stars shared her support.
I am so fortunate to be a part of a show that celebrates the diversity of women the way Smokey Joes Cafe has!!!
Thank you Alysha Umphress @Cristalzheat for gracing us every night with your unapologetic beauty and your amazing voice!!!#womensupportwomen#GodIsLoveSoSpreadIt https://t.co/tLX5hN6IzL— Nicole Vanessa Ortiz (@nicolevortiz) July 23, 2018
Fans also shared their thoughts about the critic’s hurtful choice of words.
"how to dress a larger woman well"… oy vey. unintentional or not, your language is shaming and hurtful, to ANYONE reading this article, not just the actress (whose name is Alysha Umphress).
— Jan Rosenberg (@KickTheJan) July 23, 2018
Umphress is not the first — nor last, most likely — stage star to have digs at their personal appearance included in a review of their work. In June, British Theater Guide writer Philip Fisher commented on Nicola Coughlan’s body in his review of “The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie,” in which she is now starring at London’s Donmar Warehouse.
In response to being called a “fat girl,” Coughlan took to Twitter to call out the critic.
Can't wait to take the stage tonight for #MissJeanBrodie with the leggy Angus @anguswright, the shapely Ed MacLiam, and the curvy @kittheyounger 😉
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) June 14, 2018
The 30-year-old Irish actress also pointed out that this is the second time Fisher commented on her weight in a review for the British Theatre Guide. She said he is “not welcome to review any show I am in from now till forever. And I plan to be in a lot of damn shows.”
Umphress followed up later in the day on Monday with a more personal tweet, explaining how she was hurt, mad — and finally overwhelmed with love and support. Here’s hoping she holds on to that feeling.
Last night I cried myself to sleep. This morning I woke up mad as hell. Tonight I feel completely overwhelmed and extremely grateful from the outpouring of love and support from this amazing community (and beyond)! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You’re all FEROSH.
— Alysha Umphress (@Cristalzheat) July 24, 2018
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