There
aren't very many performers today who are willing to be completely honest
about their personal life. Fortunately there are a few who love their fans
so much that they believe they have a true responsibility to be a role
model for them. Such a performer is the mega talented, super sized diva
Martha Wash.
Martha is especially interested in her big fans. She believes that giving them a glimpse into her most personal and private feelings is the least she can do to make them understand that she knows how difficult it can be for them and how cruel and hateful society can be toward fat people.
Martha:
I just want my big fans to understand that I am one of them. I have the
same feelings and desires as they do. I want them to know that I love
being fat. I want them to understand that I want to be fatter!
A bold statement in these skinnier then thou, washboard abs, "anorexic is beautiful" times.
Martha: I didn't really understand my real feelings until I started singing with Sylvester. He recruited Isora Armstead, another big singer, and he thought it would be a good idea to have two big back-up singers. So he had Isora get in touch with me. When I joined up with Sylvester I was chubby. But I had a great voice if I do say so myself. So Sylvester told me that I had the job, if I was willing to get BIGGER! Let's just say the rest is history.
Actually
there is more to the story. A lot more!
Martha: Well Isora decided she was gonna make it her job to fatten me up. Honey, she did! She used to carry a dozen suitcases, not filled with clothes, but filled with FOOD! All the two of us did for the next 6 months was sing and eat. By the end of that first tour I was F-A-T fat!
But what really spoke to Martha's heart during this period was the fact that not only did she get bigger, she enjoyed getting bigger!
Martha: Isora just loves to feed people, and she makes it fun! She like a mother who thought of me as one of her kids and it was her job as a mother to fatten me up!