
This year, new talents emerged and captivated audiences with their undeniable talent. Among these rising stars are plus size actresses who continuously make waves in Hollywood and deserve their flowers.
As we know, Hollywood has come a long way in portraying beauty standards. Today, audiences crave authenticity and representation that reflects the diversity of our society. Plus size actresses are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and paving the way for a more inclusive entertainment industry.ย Their presence on screenย not only empowers viewers but alsoย sends a powerful message of acceptance and self-love.
As we continue to venture through 2024, letโsย spotlightย these six exceptional women who are redefining beauty standards and leaving their mark on our screens.
Our Top Picks for the 6 Plus Size Actresses to Watch for 2024
Michelle Buteau

With her infectious energy and razor-sharp wit, Michelle Buteau commands attention wherever she goes. From her standout performance as Mavis Beaumont in Netflixโs โSurvival of The Thickestโ to her hilarious stand-up specials, Buteau is a force toย be reckonedย with. During a 2023 NPR interview, Buteau noted that she wished she had seen more plus size actresses on her screen growing up and that โSurvival of the Thickestโ was a love letter to the โfatty baddies.โ
โGrowing up, I did love television and film, and I always wished that I could see more representation,โ she explained. โBut I was like, well, itโs just not there, you know? Itโs sort of just like people who didnโt even know they had celiac disease. Youโre just like, well, I guess Iโm just going to be in pain.โ
Nicola Coughlan

Rising to prominence with her role in โDerry Girlsโ and gaining further acclaim in โBridgerton,โ Nicola Coughlan is a versatile actress. Her ability to portray a wide range of roles has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. In May 2024, she starred in the leading role in the third season of โBridgerton.โ Keep an eye on Coughlan as sheย continues to showcaseย her exceptional skills.
Natasha Rothwell

Many of us fell in love with Rothwell for her role in โInsecureโ and can agree we wanted more of her on our screens. The writer and producer is a powerhouse talent. Her sharp comedic timing and magnetic presence have earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. Sheโs also snagged memorable roles in HBOโs hit series โWhite Lotus,โ โWonkaโ and even โSonic the Hedgehog 2.โ Itโs safe to say sheโs doing a great job carving out her place in Hollywood.
Genesis Denise Hale

Known for her compelling portrayal of Maisha in โThe Chi,โ Genesis Denise Hale has captured audiencesโ attention with her raw talent and emotional depth. With each performance, she brings authenticity and nuance to her characters, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. Plus,ย sheย is an amazing rapper and poet.ย Hale needs to be on your radar this year as she continues to showcase her prowess on screen.
Barbie Ferreira

Barbie Ferreira started her career as a plus size model after sending her photos to American Apparel. She has modeled for Adidas, ASOS, and more.ย Fans fell in love with her even more whenย sheย joined theย cast of theย hit series โEuphoriaโ as Kat.ย Although she departed the show after two seasons, she went on to be in โUnpregnant,โ starring alongsideย Haley Lu Richardson, and had a role in the Jordan Peele alien thriller โNope.โ So we are quite confident we will see her on our screens again.ย
Danielle Pinnock

Known for her scene-stealing roles in CBSโ โGhosts,โ Danielle Pinnock is a rising star in Hollywood and has come a long way from posting funny videos on Instagram. Between her Mrs. Claus andย French Bedbug skitsย on social media and various acting roles, her bright personality makes us love herย more.
โAdding my story truly changed my life. Iโm a 200+ pound girl, OK? And I was doing 90 minutes by myself, eight shows a week. And audiences were coming in droves, sold out, night after night,โ Pinnock told Essence about the one-woman show she put on when she first moved to LA. โI realized people actually do need this representation. Itโs actually really important. And I canโt be worried about how Iโm going to look on TV. I just gotta do me.โ
Which plus size actresses have your attention this year? As Danielle Pinnock claimed, this is the year of the โBig Girls,โ so who else has your attention?! Let us know in the comments!
The authorโs content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.