Subscribe
Hellobeautiful Featured Video
CLOSE

If you didn’t watch A+E’s Love After Lockup before this season, chances are you’re now tuning in because Monique and  Derek’s love story has piqued your interest. Monique and Derek’s romance has gone viral due to their difference in size. Monique is a beautiful plus-size woman and Derek is a petite man who admittedly doesn’t have a problem with his woman’s weight. Yet, social media and Derek’s family seemed to be obsessed with Monique’s weight to the point, the reality TV star is speaking out about being bullied on the platform.

Only a few days ago, Monique clapped back at popular vlogger Funky Dineva, who criticized her weight, saying “she can’t possibly think he wants her.”

Despite the negative comments about her appearance, Monique insists she and Derek are happy, which is the most crucial part. “Me and Derek have been together almost three years already,” she wrote in a note posted on her Instagram page.

The harsh and mean comments about Monique’s body are indicative of a larger societal symptom of fatphobia. According to BMC.org, fatphobia is defined as “the implicit and explicit bias of overweight individuals that is rooted in a sense of blame and presumed moral failing.”

Somehow Monique seems to remain positive despite the negativity she’s received since the season premiered, even at the hands and mouths of Derek’s sisters. As noted in Monique’s statement, it’s “protect Black women” until it’s protecting a Black woman who doesn’t fit into the ideal beauty standard.

Monique signed up to share her personal life with the world via the reality TV series, but that doesn’t mean she deserves to be judged, called cruel and hurtful names, or have her relationship doubted simply because of her size.

 

Keep up with Monique and Derek’s love story on A+E’s Love After Lockup.

RELATED STORIES:

Coi Leray Is Tired Of Being Body-Shamed For Her Small Frame

Kenya Moore Body Shames Drew Sidora: ‘She Needs To Pay For A Tummy Tuck’

 

For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.