I’m in a mixed-weight relationship: Get over it haters
This self-proclaimed “Thickney Spears” is clapping back at online trolls who criticize her “mixed-weight relationship” with her longtime boyfriend.
Leah Stanley, a proudly plus-sized lifestyle influencer from Vermont, met her partner Dan three years ago on the Bumble dating app.
The social media manager — known as @VoluptuousLeah to her 240,000 followers on Instagram — and her native New Yorker fella face a barrage of haters questioning their romance.
“People always assume that a fat person like me should be with another fat person and that goes the other way as well,” Stanley, 33, told NeedToKnow.Online. “Too bad it’s all based from jealousy and minds filled with judgement so those comments hold zero value.”
Undeterred by the haters, Stanley proudly shares her blissful life with 37-year-old tree surgeon Dan — who prefers not to reveal his last name for privacy reasons — on social media and she recently got candid about their relationship.
The lovebirds don’t like to adhere to society’s rules — and according to this self-proclaimed Stanley, the weight gap has “never bothered” Dan nor herself.
“And while our sex life is private — there aren’t any concerns at all,” she added.
“The surprise that many people forget, unless you weigh the same as your partner, you are also in a mixed weight relationship … your size doesn’t determine who you’re attracted to – your eyes and mind do.”
In one now-viral video uploaded to Instagram, which has racked up 14,700 views and hundreds of likes, Stanley shared some of the “harsh” comments people have posted.
“Mostly because I think these comments are just so mindless and for that reason they be funny,” she captioned the clip. “It’s important to know that there’s always going to be someone unhappy with what you’re doing and that’s why you need to live for YOU.”
She dances as multiple pieces of text pop up on the screen, including: “He’s with you for the money,” “Run for your life man” and “He must be cheating on her”.
Meanwhile, she said “it’s incredibly important to take the focus off size and weight, to truly show the love that can be formed between two individuals – regardless of their size or appearance.”
Although Stanley strives to normalize “mixed-weight relationships” — she’s also ready for people to get over it and move on. She “doesn’t want more labels” to define herself and Dan, she just wants “acceptance” so they can “exist and love the same as a straight-sized couple would.”
Another assumption the social media star said people mistakenly make is that Dan is her brother and not her beau.
But it’s not all hate online: Many commenters expressed support for Stanley’s cheekiness and honesty, with one writing: “I love this. You two are effing cute and you ALWAYS look happy and are smiling.”
“Haters always gonna hate! Your love is beautiful ❤️. He’s a lucky guy!,” one fan posted, as another chimed in: “F those miserable t–ts. Real love is rare (and they are so jealous) enjoy the hell out of it! 🙌❤️.”