Exploring the themes of self-acceptance and self-growth in tandem with messy relationships and choices, Netflix’s Survival Of The Thickest has finally made it to the screens. Manifested by Michelle Buteau, the series lets its audience have a front-row seat to the dramatic life of an African-American woman in her mid-thirties. Buteau narrates the tale of a plus-size woman aspiring to become an established stylist and help people feel comfortable in their skin.
Instead of telling the viewers, Michelle chooses to show how it is to lead a life free of self-doubts and anxieties through her character, Mavis Beaumont. Fresh out of a relationship, Mavis finds herself down the road to finding true happiness. With such a dynamic plot, it becomes obvious that viewers are wondering whether Survival Of The Thickest is based on a true story. Even I possessed the same question just a couple of minutes ago.
Ready to get the answer? Here it is!
Is Survival Of The Thickest Based On A True Story?
Michelle Buteau serves as the foundation of the series. She breathes life into the main protagonist, Mavis Beaumont, who directs and co-produces Survival Of The Thickest. The series is way beyond an eight-episode drama to Michelle who has dedicated half a decade of her life to gather the life lessons portrayed in the show. Because yes, Survival Of The Thickest is based on a true story.
Okay, not entirely.
The series revolves around a stylist who has recently discovered that her boyfriend is cheating on her and like every self-respecting woman parts her way with him. Did that happen to Michelle, who narrates her experience in the series? Well, no. The show might be based on Michelle’s life but it isn’t entirely non-fiction. Survival Of The Thickest is tailored to dramatize Michelle’s life experiences in an alternate universe created by the writer herself.
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Survival Of The Thickest Derives Inspiration From A Novel
Michelle is a real-life comedian-slash-actress-slash-writer and of course, she can easily become a life coach if she puts her mind to it. So far, that hasn’t happened yet. However, Buteau has published a book of essays originally titled “Maintaining Chunky: A Thick Girl’s Guide to Not Getting Fat…Or Skinny”. Michelle later altered the name to Survival Of The Thickest. In the book, Michelle shares her real-life experience in the form of short essays. Be it a failed relationship, a consignment that went wrong or the trouble motherhood brought to her doorstep, Michelle has listed them all in her book.
It goes without saying that the novel has been received warmly and Buteau’s boisterous writing tone is appreciated highly. She brings the same tone in Survival Of The Thickest and makes her character Mavis a compelling combination of bold and vulnerable. As Michelle believes, Mavis is “an extension of herself” in a parallel universe of styling and glamour.
Though the book is a pioneer in the non-fiction genre, Survival Of The Thickest is a fictional drama. It derives inspiration from the book and glues some realistic elements to add to the feel of the story. However, Survival Of The Thickest remains a combination of both genres, treading lightly between the two.
Is Mavis A Real-Life Stylist?
Mavis is a fictional character named after Michelle’s grandmother representing herself in the series. While Michelle is a stand-up comedian, Mavis is a stylist dipping her toes in the ocean of glamour. She discovers the huge sharks dominating the ocean namely self-doubt and body-shaming and vows to help the fishes embrace themselves. It is what Michelle aspires to do as well–steer women to accept themselves the way they are.
The thread that binds the two is individuality. Mavis is a fictional character, born purely through Michelle’s imagination. There exists no such stylist who grooms teenagers to give them the prom life they deserve. Yet, Mavis serves as an integral part of this alternate universe Michelle has constructed.
When asked about the genre switch and this fictional universe, Michelle confessed that she aspired to tell a story of individuality that is not an autobiography. She calls it “a love letter to New York” and aspires to see more Mavis Beaumonts on the stage, narrating their tales of self-acceptance and individuality.
Survival Of The Thickest is now premiering on Netflix!
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