Shop
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Arts + Culture
  • Sex + Relationships
  • Fitness + Wellness
  • Career + Finance
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Stephanie Yeboah Isn’t Afraid to Tell It Like It Is: ‘Fattily Ever After’ Encourages Black Women Everywhere to ‘Take Up Space’

This is the girl to follow.

byTabitha Britt
Reading Time: 3 mins read
fattily-ever-after

Stephanie Yeboah

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Growing up, Stephanie Yeboah knew she was different from her schoolmates. Unfortunately, it took her years to realize that her uniqueness wasn’t a flaw. In fact, it’s what made her the person she is today  — a powerful, plus-size, unapologetically proud, Black woman. 

Like many young girls, Yeboah clipped and collected images from the pages of “Vogue” and lived for the dramatic gowns and gorgeous models she saw on the television. The only problem? None of the women, neither on-screen nor in print, looked like her. This fact, however, is just a small detail that added to the existential dread Yeboah felt every day at home and at school. 

View this post on Instagram

(AD) Serving you American Horror Story: Coven in this @HM dress which is made from 100% recycled polyester. There has understandably been a lot of talk surrounding sustainability in fashion, and as someone who is plus size, we know it’s a lot more difficult to find pieces that are a) sustainable b) plus size AND c) budget-friendly. It’s important for those of us who don’t have as many options to be able to shop with brands who are at least trying to do the right thing. H&M’s aim is for all their products to be made from recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030, and at the moment, this already applies to 57% of their clothing. Transparency is key! #HMConscious #HMxME 📸 – @enamasiama

A post shared by Stephanie Yeboah (@stephanieyeboah) on Sep 15, 2020 at 5:04am PDT

Yeboah was not only bullied by her classmates but fat-shamed at home. At the age of 12, she was put on a diet; at 14, she was diagnosed with depression. She also suffered from bulimia.

“The worst thing you can do is try to shame someone into losing weight,” Yeboah tells Metro UK. “Some people call shaming ‘tough love’ assuming it will motivate the other person to change, but it does the opposite, reinforcing the idea that fat people are unworthy, ugly, and that they don’t deserve love or success.” 

As She Grew Older, Yeboah Found That Dating As A Plus-Size Woman Was No Easier

Two years following the end of a serious relationship, Yeboah decided to give dating another try. Unfortunately, her anxiety and fear surrounding the dating scene were brought to life after dating someone who had done so for the sake of a dare. In an effort to prevent this from happening to a fellow plus-sized woman, Yeboah wrote about her experience for Refinery29. 

“Sadly, my story isn’t an isolated incident,” Yeboah writes. “We’ve all heard of sick pranks such as the ‘pull a pig’ game, which involves a group of men daring each other to hook up with the least attractive woman (in their eyes) in order to gain clout. There are tales as long as my arm from fellow plus-size women who have been duped or tricked in this way and frankly, a discussion needs to be had about it.”

“Ultimately, what I’ve concluded is that men seem to undertake these ‘pranks’ as a way of gaining respect from their male friends at the expense of women’s feelings,” Yeboah continues. “Men, it’s time to stop being impressed by this toxic behaviour. It’s time to call it out, to hold each other accountable.”

Until That Time Comes, However, Yeboah Is Calling Them Out On Her Own

Her book “Fattily Ever After A Black Fat Girl’s Guide to Living Life Unapologetically,” begins with a very simple, yet powerful disclaimer: “This book for me is, first and foremost, a love letter to fat, black womxn. For womxn who look like me, who have had to grow up navigating spaces where we have been made to feel unwelcome, judged, and sidelined. I’ll be talking about a lot of topics that some may see as sensitive or ‘cutting’, so to speak.”

In addition to writing about her own experiences, Yeboah includes insightful tips, honest advice from inspirational figures of her own, including Lizzo. 

“Growing-up I really needed to see a fat Black woman on stage owning it — dancing, singing, playing an instrument – proving we can do anything,” Yeboah tells Metro UK. “Lizzo has done so much for fat women, and is proof that when you work hard and refuse to be held back by your race or weight it is possible to reach your full potential. She has inspired me to live my best fat life and take up space.” 

“Fattily Ever After – A Black Fat Girl’s Guide to Living Life Unapologetically” is out now and available for purchase on Amazon. 

Next Post

Bags You Need for Winter in NYC

Fashion + Beauty

17 Pictures of Medium Length Hair in Layers That Will Inspire Your New Haircut

Arts + Culture

What Mainstream Media Won’t Tell Us About Tamiko Bolton

Arts + Culture

Kristen Bell and Her Fake Tattoos – What’s The Story Behind Her Tattoos?

Arts + Culture

8 Songs You Didn’t Know (or Forgot) Are About Selena Gomez

Arts + Culture

13 Amazing Poems from Shel Silverstein with Valuable Life Lessons

About Us / Privacy Policy / Terms of Service / Contact us

Contact Email : hello@nygal.com
The opinions expressed in any of our posts are those of the respective writer.
© 2023 New York Gal Magazine. All rights reserved. All images are property of their respective owners. New York Gal might participate in various affiliate marketing programs every now and then,
which means New York Gal gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites

No Result
View All Result
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Arts + Culture
  • Sex + Relationships
  • Fitness + Wellness
  • Career + Finance

© 2020 New York Gal Magazine. All rights reserved. All images property of their respective owners.