Abbie Chatfield responds to fan outrage over her show's lack of body diversity

"I have zero power in casting"

Fans have spoken out over the casting of FBoy Island. Image: Instagram

Body inclusivity queen, Abbie Chatfield, has received a slew of criticism in response to an obvious lack of body diversity in her forthcoming Binge series, FBoy Island.

Over the last couple of years, Abbie Chatfield has been the voice of weekly inclusive, feminist, and diversity reminders in culture Australia was long needing.

This week, the It's A Lot host has been criticised by many online fans in light of the recent reveal of her new TV show, FBoy Island.

On Wednesday, the three female cast members were announced, and it wasn’t long before users took to the comments to point out the obvious: a severe lack of body diversity.

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Chatfield has been a prominent advocate for the dismantling of the ever-popularised diet culture in Australia, speaking out a number of times to raise awareness for body positivity and inclusivity.

So, when she posted the cast image of the “incredible women” who will be starring in the Binge series which Chatfield is set to host, her followers didn’t hold back in the comments.

“Was expecting more of a range of body diversity with you being the host Abbie… thought you were inclusivity queen,” one user posted with another noting that the absence of curvy women was “so sad” to see.

Chatfield was quick to respond to concerned fans in a very candid manner, explaining that she agrees there is a dire lack of body inclusivity, but that she holds very little influence as the host when it comes to casting.

“Unfortunately I don't control casting in any way,” she responded in the comments. “Absolutely I can speak to production about casting, which I did, but I have zero power in who is cast.”

Knowing that her fans have high expectations of her as an advocate for such a big issue in television, particularly in Australian culture, Chatfield shed some light on the production process to give her followers some answers.

“As much as I would LOVE to own a network, create a cast and produce a show myself, I am hired by the network to host. That is all,” she explained.

“Me flagging what I would personally like can sway decisions I guess? but at the end of the day, I am pretty far down the power structure as a temporary employee.”

She notes that more often than not, casting is done before she can step in and voice her thoughts, but that raising the issue, both in the production phase and after launch, are important steps we can all take to create greater diversity in future productions.

“So yes, I would love more body diversity, and yes I flagged it but I have minimal power here, and it isn’t one person’s decision,” she wrote in response to one fan.

“But your comment shows producers of all shows that having body diversity is wanted by the public so I appreciate the comment.” 

Abbie Chatfield has been a staunch advocate for body positivity and wider inclusivity. Image: Instagram

Chatfield is set to host the new 10-part matchmaking series which is set to air on Binge next month. FBoy Island will follow three women as they attempt to find love in one of 24 suitors.

If you think this sounds awfully similar to a certain rose-giving show, you’re not wrong, however, there’s a twist! Half of the male suitors are cast to act as an innate waste of time (hence the title ‘FBoy’) while the other 12 are there to actually find love.

The three ladies taking the island include Sophie Blackley, a DJ from New Zealand, Melbourne-based occupational therapist Molly O'Halloran, and 21-year-old model Ziara Rae.

FBoy Island is set to premiere on May 29.

Originally published as Abbie Chatfield responds to fan outrage over her show's lack of body diversity