Roseanne Barr Asks When Lizzo Is Going To Thank Her For "Paving The Way" In Throwback Instagram Post
She shared a Vanity Fair cover of herself from 1994, implying that body positive activist Lizzo should pay homage to her for being one of the first plus-size stars.
Roseanne Barr is an iconic figure in American television history, known for her outspoken personality and groundbreaking sitcom, Roseanne. The Emmy-winning actress has undeniably left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, but her career was overshadowed by a controversial tweet in 2018 that led to what many refer to as her cancellation.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952, Barr started her career in stand-up comedy in the early 1980s. Her brash, domestic goddess persona resonated with audiences, leading to a breakthrough when she caught the attention of television executives. This culminated in her sitcom Roseanne, which aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997. The show, co-starring John Goodman, broke new ground by focusing on a blue-collar family dealing with real-life issues—a departure from the idealized TV families of the past.
The popularity of Roseanne was immense, topping TV ratings and receiving critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of working-class America. Barr's portrayal of the matriarch, Roseanne Conner, was praised for its honesty and humor. Even after the show ended, its cultural impact endured, leading to a revival in 2018.
However, the rebooted Roseanne was short-lived. Despite its initial success—the premiere drew over 18 million viewers—Barr's career took a significant hit when she posted a controversial tweet in May 2018. The tweet, aimed at former Obama administration adviser Valerie Jarrett, employed racially charged language, comparing Jarrett, a black woman, to an ape. The fallout was swift and severe. ABC, responding to the public outcry, canceled Roseanne within hours of the tweet, stating that Barr's remarks were "abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values." The cancellation marked a significant blow to Barr's career and legacy, effectively eclipsing her decades of work in the industry. Barr issued an apology, stating that her joke was in "bad taste." However, the damage was done.
But Barr hasn't given up comedy; in fact, she just used her Instagram account to poke fun at Lizzo, a musician who is propped up as a brave fat acceptance activist.
Roseanne Barr Asks When Lizzo Is Going To Thank Her for "Paving the Way"
Lizzo is known for sharing many videos and photos of herself online nearly naked. She usually dances and twerks around in front of the camera, claiming that she is doing it as a way to display how confident she is in her body. She has been hailed as a body positive hero and even created a shapewear line called Yitty that is meant for larger bodies.
On her Instagram page, Barr shared a 1994 cover of Vanity Fair that featured herself in lingerie. Barr was wearing a black corset with a lace bra and thigh-high stockings. She has a red flower in her hair and is sitting in a seductive pose as she looks straight into the camera.
"When is @lizzobeeating going to thank me for paving the way. An homage to Botero.
Photo by Annie Leibovitz," she wrote in the caption.
She also shared a behind-the-scenes photo of herself posing in front of a camera. Her message to Lizzo was meant to be facetious. Barr has always been on the curvier side, and she was never exactly considered one of the most beautiful celebrities in Hollywood, but she never attempted to make herself out to be some kind of body positive hero or convince others that she was a sex icon the same way that Lizzo does. Barr was actually one of the first major female celebrities who didn't fit the mold of the typical Hollywood physique, but she has never been propped up by the media and feminist activists as a gorgeous supporter of body positivity.
And yet Lizzo has been portrayed as a body positive icon for years. The media praises her for being naked on social media and celebrating her "back rolls." They glorify her for wanting to "normalize" her body, even though she is visibly obese and seemingly unhealthy. Barr was simply poking fun at the fact that she is on the wrong side of the political aisle, so she will never be revered for being curvy the same way that Lizzo is. Some people may have taken her post too seriously, but it's classic Roseanne Barr humor that strikes at something very true that few people are willing to talk about.
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