Now in its 12th season, My Big Fat Fabulous Life continues to win over the hearts of viewers, largely thanks to its star, Whitney Thore. Whitney continues to bring people into the behind-the-scenes of her life, folding us into her friendships, her love for dancing, and her journey back into the dating pool.
TheThings got to sit down with Whitney for an exclusive interview where she shared about this next chapter of her life now that she’s officially entered her 40s. She also dished about what we can expect in the rest of the season, some more vulnerable moments that come up, and even what kind of reality TV show she’s interested in doing next.
Much of this season of My Big Fat Fabulous Life revolves around Whitney’s 40th birthday. In order to celebrate, she chose to do a huge trip to Spain with some of her closest family and friends. When asked about how the milestone birthday made her feel, Whitney was candid in her answer. “I feel a little bit better now that the season has wrapped than I did during the season,” she said, noting that going to Spain was an amazing experience and that traveling always inspires and reinvigorates her.
This trip in particular, she noted, was special because it allowed her to get back into dancing, something she really got away from since the pandemic. Fans will be happy to see her get back to her roots as she takes flamenco lessons and embraces everything that the Spanish culture has to offer. When asked what else made her choose Spain specifically, Whitney simply answered, “Well, the men. Duh!” She went on to explain that it was also one of the few European countries to which she’d never been, and that she was excited to bring along her closest friends and family for them to experience it, too.
Whitney Gets Back To Her Dancing Roots
In the latest episode of the show, we see Whitney attending an African dance class with her friend and dance partner Todd. Whitney explained that she first took an African dance class when she was just 15, but that dancing for fun had since been a habit she’d fallen out of. Whitney elaborated on what it was like to slip back into this source of joy:
It’s so easy to forget just the basic things that can help us feel happy and bring us joy…I’d really gotten away from dance for a couple of years now. I think my whole life post-COVID, it just never really went back to normal unfortunately, so I’ve been focusing on kind of getting back to some of the basics and things I know I love and enjoy. And dance is definitely one of those.
Whitney also added that trying different types of dance was also a great way to delve into other cultures, allowing you to dive in and learn a lot more than just reading about a place.
Sharing About Some Of The Season’s Darker Moments
Whitney also got candid about some of the darker moments in the show, such as conversations around mental health. “I think, in my group of friends, we’re all severely mentally ill. And I say that with humor,” the show’s star explained, noting that this was just the norm for them and that they were open to talking about it. Working in reality TV can clearly take its toll on someone struggling, and she even admitted she had a moment last year when she was nearly suicidal, though today it seems she’s faring much better.
She continued to elaborate on why, even when it was challenging, she still saw a benefit to doing the show:
I think my biggest point of pride with
My Big Fat Fabulous Life
is that it’s not your typical reality TV. I think it’s very impactful, I think it’s very meaningful, and I don’t think it’s superficial or vapid or anything like that. Any time we have the opportunity to bring these real issues to people and let other people see themselves in us, that’s the only reason I do this.
Thus, even if she and her friends did occasionally have some rough moments on camera, ultimately it was worth it if it made some of their fans feel seen.
What’s Next For Whitney
In the rest of the season, we can also expect some updates on Whitney’s love life. Despite the challenges of getting into the game of dating apps, it seems the reality TV darling has been able to keep her positive spirit. Despite being so fiercely independent, she did note with a smile, “I’ve got a lot of love to give.” Without giving too much away, Whitney did say she’d been putting a lot of effort into her dating life, and that it was “a work in progress.”
Whitney also shared about how, even after My Big Fat Fabulous Life ends, she could imagine herself continuing on with a different reality series. What kind of show would she be interested in? The reality veteran said that she could have an interest in a home renovation show, as she recently redid her downstairs bedroom with stylistic touches that honored her late mother. “Whenever you want to pivot to a home reno show, I’m there. I’m ready. I would love that.” she said.
The renovation was in part for her father, Glen, who Whitney noted still texts her from time to time to express how “obsessed” he is with the makeover. Whitney also noted that her mother was a source of inspiration for her, who herself had a great eye for design and passed some of that touch down to Whitney. For now, though, fans will be happy to know that My Big Fat Fabulous life remains in full swing with no plans of cancelation, meaning there’s still plenty of Whitney’s charm to go around.
