Actress Gabourey Sidibe has responded to critics who fat shamed her after she appeared in a love scene during Wednesday's episode of Empire.
The 32-year-old actress was seen on the show alongside her character Becky Williams' love interest MC J Poppa - played by actor Mo McRae - in an opening scene that featured the two enjoying an intimate moment on a rooftop.
While some were quick to praise her character Becky for getting her freak on in such a fabulous way, other social media users took the opportunity to fat-shame Gabourey.
So much so it has even been turned into a meme, purportedly poking fun at larger women.
The meme appeared to imply that it was somehow surprising that Gabourey's character could attract the attention - and the lust - of someone like MC J Poppa.
The Oscar-nominated actress told Entertainment Weekly she was too busy working to check criticism on Twitter.
"I, a plus sized, dark-skinned woman, had a love scene on primetime television," she said. "I had the most fun ever filming that scene even though I was nervous. But I felt sexy and beautiful and I felt like I was doing a good job.
"I'm very proud of the work we all did to make that scene a great opening for the episode. I keep hearing that people are 'hating' on it.
"I'm not sure how anyone could hate on love but that's okay. You may have your memes"
She added: "Honestly, I’m at work too busy to check Twitter anyway. #Booked. Hope you enjoy next week’s show!"
In an interview with E! News, Gabourey later added that she’s “real proud” of the scene, noting that she was incredibly nervous beforehand. Her co-star Jussie Smollett also praised the actress for her sexy performance, calling it “hot” and “beautiful.” Haters, he suggested, should “close their eyes and shut off the TV … those people don’t matter.”
The sex scene opens the sixth episode in the second series of Empire, which will be shown on E4 on Tuesday evening.
