Remember that viral Youtube video in which a thin girl goes on a fat shaming rant? Its creator Nicole Arbour is now claiming that “Dear Fat People” was just part of a marketing stunt to build her brand and should not be taken seriously.
From the very start of the video, which has over 9 million views, Arbour is in full-attack mode: “Ahh, some people are already mad at this video. What are you going to do, fat people? You going to chase me? It’s gonna be like fucking Frankenstein. I can get away from you by walking at a reasonable pace!”
The video, uploaded on Sept. 9, generated backlash not only from the public but also from fellow Youtubers. Shortly after the video went viral, Arbour’s channel was made unavailable due to claims that it violated Youtube’s terms of service and then later restored. She was also reportedly fired from a movie whose dance numbers she was set to help choreograph.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, the Canadian vlogger said she created the controversial video only to generate money.
“I made a marketing plan behind it, the same way that anyone makes marketing plans for anything. So, I kind of loaded the bases, like baseball,” Arbour told Cosmopolitan.
She added: “There’s been tens of thousands of dollars just from that one specifically. It’s changed my life financially.”
She claims her marketing plan is to create controversial videos to gain a following to help draw people to her channel to see her other comedic videos. Prior to her video addressing fat people, she also made fun of “Insta-whores” and “Facebook cunts” via her “Dear Instagram Models” video. Her newer videos like “Dear Black People,” “Dear Refugees,” and “Abortion Is Wrong” continue her plan to grab viewers’ attention.
Arbour told Cosmopolitan that since “Dear Fat People” exploded in popularity, she has had TV offers and been recruited by sponsors. She is also set to fly to Puerto Rico in January to work on a feature film.
She insists though, that if you look past the meanness of her most infamous video, there’s a true message that can be had.
“The message in ‘Dear Fat People’ isn’t mean, and anyone who actually watches it should get that it’s comedy, it’s satire, and it’s a true message,” she told Cosmopolitan. “I get lots of letters from people saying I was right, they needed a kick in the butt. I love that video!”
