On Thursday, Rebel Wilson appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show while promoting her new film, Isn’t It Romantic.
But the 38-year-old raised the ire of fans when she made a large claim – that she is the first plus-size lead in a rom-com.
The Australian actress quipped: ‘I’m proud to be the first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy’.
‘Just admit you were wrong and apologise’: Rebel Wilson faces backlash after saying she was the ‘first plus size woman’ to play the lead in a romantic comedy. Rebel is pictured with actor Milo Ventimiglia in a skit on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
It was that bold comment which caused a backlash, with several viewers of the show taking to Twitter to question Rebel’s claim.
One wrote: ‘I love @RebelWilson as much as the next girl, but she isn’t the first plus-sized woman to play the lead in a romantic comedy. Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique have both played rom-com leads’.
Rebel responded to that comment personally, Tweeting: ‘Hey girl! Yeah I of course know of these movies.’
Claims: On Thursday, Rebel Wilson appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show while promoting her new film, Isn’t It Romantic, and raised the ire of fans when she claimed she is the first plus-size lead in a rom-com. Rebel is pictured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Australian actress quipped: ‘I’m proud to be the first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy’. Rebel is pictured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
‘But it was questionable as to whether: 1. Technically those actresses were plus size when filming those movies or 2. Technically those films are catorgorized/billed as a studio rom-com with a sole lead. So there’s a slight grey area,’ she wrote.
However fans were not convinced by the rationale, pointing out that the 2006 Paramount Studios romantic comedy The Last Holiday, starring plus size actress, Queen Latifah, did meet the perimeters Rebel herself had set.
Others flagged another romantic comedy, also released in 2006, distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures and named Phat Girlz, which stars plus-size actress Mo’Nique.
Responding: Several viewers took to Twitter to question Rebel’s claims. While she responded personally, it did not silence the critics
First: Fans pointed out that the 2006 Paramount Studios romantic comedy The Last Holiday, starring plus size actress, Queen Latifah, pre-dates Rebel’s film Isn’t It Romantic by over a decade. Queen Latifah is pictured in The Last Holiday
Pioneers: Other fans flagged another romantic comedy, also released in 2006, distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures and named Phat Girlz, which stars plus size actress Mo’Nique
The onslaught continued, with one person Tweeting: ‘Pleaaaaaase take several seats behind Queen Latifah, Mo’nique, Ricki Lake, Melissa McCarthy, etc.’
Another demanded: ‘It isn’t complicated. Just admit you were wrong, apologize, and thank Queen Latifah for the path she created for plus size women, that you now walk upon. It’s massively important for our generation to see apology and growth.’
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Rebel Wilson for comment.
Scenes: In the upcoming film, Isn’t It Romantic (pictured) Rebel stars opposite Liam Hemsworth as a woman who is struck on the head and wakes up in a romantic comedy
Coming soon! Shirtless Liam Hemsworth stars as the love interest of Rebel’s character
Racy! Rebel plays Natalie, who grew up idolising the 1990 film Pretty Woman. She gets the attention of Liam’s character and the pair share some racy love scenes
In upcoming film Isn’t It Romantic, Rebel stars opposite Liam Hemsworth as a woman who is struck on the head and wakes up in a romantic comedy.
Rebel plays Natalie, who grew up idolising the 1990 film Pretty Woman, only to be told by her mother she is ‘no Julia Roberts’, before the accident makes all her wildest dreams come true.
The film also stars Priyanka Chopra, Adam DeVine and Betty Gilpin and is due in cinemas on Valentine’s Day next year.
Coming soon: Rebel’s new film Isn’t It Romantic is due in cinemas on Valentines Day next year