A growing star - conclusion

Chapter 6

‘Now, Donnie, tell me, how are the record company reacting to your size?’ ‘Well, they aren’t best pleased. You cannot blame them. I mean I was making more money for them than Britney and now it looks like I ATE Britney!’ the audience were lapping it up, laughing, clapping and cheering. Donnie was on fire!

‘Was this a conscious decision? I know after you left ‘Now This’ you did gain a little weight. You don’t mind me asking?’ ‘Oprah, you can ask me anything. So many people out there are my size and bigger, why should I feel bad for becoming fat. And that is what I am, fat. The execs won’t say that word around me as if I would get offended. They call me big, large, husky, thick set. It makes me smile, I am fat, I am a big fat man!’

I had visions of him jumping on the couch like Tom Cruise but I don’t think the set would take

the strain! The audience were on their feet. I had never heard a reaction like this and it was beautiful.

‘There is one more thing I want to talk about, if I may Oprah?’ ‘Donnie, the floor is yours.’

‘It was because of love that I have become such a fat man. I am a guy head over heels in love and my partner is in the audience.’

What, no, he has got to be joking!

‘Will, stand up!’ I wanted to die on the spot! ‘Will, stand up babe.’

The camera swung my way and I stood up, blushing for my life. Again the audience took a moment to digest this new information and were silent, then as one started yelling, clapping and cheering! Not only had the audience accepted Donnie as a fatty but also as a gay man. This could not have gone any better.

I was asked to sit with Donnie but declined. The woman sitting next to me just kept smiling at me the whole time and then said ‘Good for you.’ That made me laugh.

After the show we went back to Donnie’s dressing room and Oprah came in to say that what Donnie had done was so brave and that she was proud of him and said whenever he needed any help or guidance she was there for him. She is a true lady!

Once the show aired Donnie was hot property. He featured on so many talk shows. I even gave in twice and appeared with him but I will leave the limelight to him, he is a far better showman than me. Donnie’s people were more than happy with the press he was getting. They even wanted him to record a new album but Donnie said no. He had got a taste for talk shows and even had a few stations fighting for him to host his own. They loved his down to earth charm, his wit and above all, his ability to connect with an audience. After Donnie did a guest host spot on Saturday Night Live he decided to accept an offer to host his own talk show. ‘Donnie big and proud’ aired four months later and is still going strong today. Did Donnie’s weight gain change the Media's attitude to fat people? A little. We both knew that fat people would never be treated the same as size zero stick insects but you know what? We don’t care. Donnie took a very brave step and it paid off for him.

Donnie’s weight levelled out at 420lb and we were both more than happy with that. He even did a topless shoot! We found that just so funny. He said he couldn’t do it seriously and had such a blast he gave his fee to charity. I had the best shot made into a giant picture and had it hung above our bed as a joke. He loved it and couldn’t stop laughing but we decided to hang it in the bathroom instead, above the toilet! I have never been happier and my love for Donnie grows everyday. I never thought I would find love whilst on a holiday but I am so glad I took that flight. And Donnie, well, he grew into a HUGE star and I love him.