In an industry ruled by an obsession with the coveted size zero, the full-figured Rebecca Field is a welcome addition as a regular on October Road. The actress plays plump barmaid Janet “The Planet” Meadows in the ABC series now on its second season.
In real life, Field has had her own experience tending bar at the Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox, Massachusetts. More importantly however, she recently took on the responsibility of spokesperson for a timely health cause that is also made evident by her role in October Road.
In the fall of 2007, Field signed on as spokeswoman for the non-profit group, Multi-service Eating Disorders Association or MEDA. The outfit endeavors to educate, prevent and help treat eating disorders, something the actress considers especially relevant.
“Based on my own body image my whole life and with my role on October Road, it’s so relatable to so many women in America,” the actress declared. “It’s all about insecurity. My weight has always fluctuated up and down. I’ve never officially been diagnosed with an eating disorder, but I certainly have a funky relationship with food. I was a yo-yo dieter in college. And when I’m feeling bummed, I go to my chocolate cookie stash.”
“Hollywood is the worst,” Field added. “It’s, ‘I have to have these clothes and weigh this much.’ It’s become crazy. I’ve really worked on loving myself regardless of weight.”
“In real life beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and the same should be true on television,” Field said in MEDA’s official site. “It’s so important to accept and appreciate our bodies and work to keep them healthy. It’s not about size or a number on the scale. Slowly, but surely, we can change the way women are viewed, on and off screen.”
Her real life experience both as a member of the female species and as an actress in Hollywood has some semblance of similarity with her character’s own reality in October Road. The overweight Janet normally becomes just one of the guys, all of whom have their own respective sexy and skinny significant others.
Recently however, Field’s October Road alter ego gave plus-sized women reason to celebrate when Janet embarked on a semi-secret affair with one of the show’s resident heartthrobs, Eddie Latekka, played by Geoff Stults.
“You are showing all the people that you don’t have to be a size two to get a hottie,” a viewer wrote on Field’s MySpace page. “You are a role model for all women.”
“I am glad that you represent women like me,” another one said. “I would not date my husband because I thought he would be ashamed of me. But we have been together for three years with an 8-month-old.”
Still another fan cheered: “As one big girl to another, you rock… You can be a big girl and still get the guy in the end.”
-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MEDA, The Boston Globe
(Image Courtesy of ABC)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
