Friend! Mavis Beaumont, played by Michelle Buteau, is the Black plus-size main character in Netflix’s hit comedy, “Survival Of The Thickest”.
And at 38 years old, she finds herself newly (and unintentionally) single, trying to rebuild her life and career after a series of unfortunate events, while going from survival of the thickest to thrival of the thickest. Is “thrival” even a word? It is today!
Mavis is going from survival to thrival with the help of her chosen family, the love of her career, and her body-positive can-do attitude. So if you still haven’t seen “Survival Of The Thickest” season 1 on Netflix, add it to your watchlist now to binge-watch tonight!
Don’t have Netflix? Go ahead and watch it with a friend who has Netflix with the HD package.
Not sure why you should watch “Survival Of The Thickest”? Well …
Here Are 6 Reasons To Watch “Survival Of The Thickest” Today
Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen “Survival Of The Thickest”, this article will spoil things a bit. But you can totally read it. Unless you loathe all kinds of spoilers. In that case, bookmark this joint and wait until you’ve seen season 1.
1. Michelle Buteau is the main character.
Need I say more? No? Because I said it already?
Well, I’m going to talk about her anyway! She’s been in “First Wives Club” and “Always Be My Maybe“. Michelle Buteau is an adorable and hilarious comedian, actress, writer, and producer. And yes, she is one of the executive producers of the show.
The show is based on Michelle’s book of the same name, and the details of her published essays are reflected with perfect comedic timing. She’s the perfect person to play Mavis Beaumont and I don’t think anyone else could ever do it better. Plus, the cast of “Survival of the Thickest” is just as hilarious and amazing, perfecting the on-screen chemistry!
2. Mavis is plus-size and weight loss isn’t her main focus!
Yes, please, and thank you!
Maybe you feel the same way I do about most shows or films with curvy or plus-size stars? But I hate the “plus-size main character” trope! You know, the “trying to go from frumpy ugly duckling to sexy and thinner to prove that she’s worthy of love and acceptance” trope?
Yeah, that one! And when it’s not focused on weight, she’s the sassy sidekick with an attitude and poor grammar. But “Survival Of The Thickest” doesn’t give us any of that.
We get legit body positivity in a rom-com and someone who truly knows how to style curvy bodies and fix fashion emergencies. Which I love!
3. She’s not just “the best friend”, but she also has best friends! Real friends.
And I’m talking about the best group of besties a thick girl could have!
Khalil (Tone Bell), Marley (Tasha Smith), and her roommate Jade (Liza Treyger) leave no room for Mavis to feel bad about herself or sleep on her potential or opportunities. They accept Mavis and encourage her to be herself and stand up for herself.
They show up for her and remind her to keep her plants watered.
4. She’s also got genuine love interests.
Yes, interests! Plural. More than one, honey!
And she didn’t have to glow up to be wanted by men she found attractive! They wanted her!
Starting with her former boyfriend, Jacque (Taylor Sele) …
Who openly hugged and kissed her. (And yes, he cheated on her, BUT he did try to get back with her.) Claiming he missed her. *eye roll* To which she ignored. But had she accepted his attempt to win her back, she would have missed out on the best guy for her.
Then there’s her first-night-being-single hookup with Camden (Hugh Moore) …
I guess you can say he was an old flame?
He saw her that night, flirted with her during a good conversation, hyped her up as she twerked in the club, and went home with her to… you know. THEN… then started fixing stuff around the apartment for her and her roommate the next morning!! Of course, she admits it’s too soon and it won’t work out for them. But he takes it like a gentleman!
And of course, there’s Luca! *swoon*
Luca, Luca, Luca! The Italian hottie played by Marouane Zotti.
Luca’s a fine, considerate, gentleman who passionately loves Mavis and gives her real affection. Their chemistry had me giggling like a teen with a crush.
And I hope their love stays around.
5. Mavis is that Boss B*tch!
Work for who? Mavis is her own damn boss now!
First, she gets her first stylist job with a high-profile client, Natasha Karina (Garcelle Beauvais), a 90s supermodel looking to reinvent herself. She starts by having Mavis find a dress to make an unforgettable appearance… at her ex-husband’s funeral.
And then it goes viral, and Mavis gains one client after another and another!
6. You’ll need to watch “Survival Of The Thickest” Season 2, which is coming!
Netflix is doubling down on the thickness! Ow! *insert body rolling* Doubling the fun like doublemint gum. Netflix announced the second season of “Survival Of The Thickest”, which means, double the love, double the fashion, and double the life that Mavis deserves.
No official date has been announced yet, but like I told you, binge season one NOW!
There are only eight episodes of Season 1 and each episode is under 30 minutes. So, if you binge it all, it’ll only take four hours and you’ll be ready for “Survival Of The Thickest” Season 2. So check it out and let me know what you think in the comments!