Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean has accused radio shock jock Don Imus of fat-shaming her when she worked as a news editor on his show over a decade ago.
Dean said on Friday that Imus would comment on her weight both on and off the air – even going so far as to suggest that she hire a personal trainer.
‘On a daily basis, on and off air, he would comment that I was fat,’ Dean told Moneyish.
She said that at one point Imus invited a personal trainer on the air and disparaged her figure.
‘He brought in a trainer one time on-air and said, “Stand up. She needs to get rid of that…her hips and her butt”,’ Dean said.
Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean has accused radio shock jock Don Imus of fat-shaming her when she worked as a news editor on his show over a decade ago
‘I was just so ashamed. So ashamed.’
‘That stays with you and brings you back to when you’re in school and bullied for the same thing,’ Dean said.
The Fox News meteorologist said that if confronted with the same situation today, she would have the courage to tell Imus to cut it out.
‘I’ve always been conscious about what body part I’d like to change, but I’m comfortable in that I know what I’m good at,’ she told Moneyish.
Dean said on Friday that Imus (seen above in 2015) would comment on her weight both on and off the air – even going so far as to suggest that she hire a personal trainer
‘I want to say to young girls “It’s OK to be yourself, to show who you are”.’
Representatives for Imus did not respond to Moneyish.
Dean made news earlier this week when she responded to a Facebook user who criticized her ‘distracting legs’.
The Facebook post, written by a user who identified themselves as ‘Joann’, read: ‘Dear Janice please stop allowing fox to dress you in those short skirts. They are not flattering on you. Your an attractive lady, love the 80’s hair, but your legs are distracting every time you walk on screen.’
Dean responded to ‘Joann,’ writing that she was ‘grateful’ to even have legs after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Dean made news earlier this week when she responded to a Facebook user who criticized her ‘distracting legs’. She is seen above during an appearance on Fox & Friends
‘Fox doesn’t dress me. I dress myself,’ she wrote.
‘I’m sorry if you don’t like my legs. I’m grateful I have them to walk with.
‘You’re right. I don’t look like the typical person on TV, and I’m proud to be a size 10.
‘Imagine that! You can always turn the channel if you’re offended by my huge legs.
‘Hope you don’t mind. I may share your post with everyone on my FB page. All the best, Janice.’
On Fox News’ web site, Dean wrote that she was moved to tears by the outpouring of support.
Dean responded that she was ‘grateful’ to even have legs after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
The Fox News meteorologist said that if confronted with the same situation today, she would have the courage to tell Imus to cut it out
‘I live with an illness that could take away [my legs] at any moment,’ she told Moneyish.
Imus, who has been a fixture on morning radio for decades, has a history of making controversial remarks perceived as racist and sexist.
He caused a scandal in 2007 when he referred to a mostly black women’s basketball team as ‘nappy headed hos.’
The phrase combines a term for short, curly hair with slang for whore and was widely criticized as racially charged and offensive.
Imus apologized, but the comment led MSNBC cable television to cancel the simulcast of his radio show, which was also aired by CBS Radio.
CBS then fired Imus when the controversy persisted.
Six months after he was fired, Imus returned to radio. He signed with ABC Radio Networks to do a four-hour morning show that would be syndicated around the country.
In 2009, he signed a deal with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp to have his radio show simulcast on the newly launched Fox Business Network.
The Imus-FBN relationship ended in 2015.