My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding: Is The Show Still Worth Celebrating?

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is no longer on TV. The original UK series aired from 2010 to 2015, while the American spin-off aired from 2012 to 2018. Both versions of the show were controversial, facing allegations of racism and criticism from the Romani Gypsy community for misrepresenting their ethnic minority with non-Romani characters. Despite this, the show was popular with fans who loved the extravagant weddings and the drama.

'My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding' is a spin-off of the original British series

My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding is a spin-off of the original British series, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, which aired on Channel 4 in the UK from 2010 to 2015. The American version debuted on TLC in April 2012 and ran for six years until 2018.

The series revolves around the marriage customs of Romani-Americans ("Gypsies"), allegedly members of Romanichal clans, although some are of Irish Traveller descent. The show claims to offer insight into the extravagant weddings and unique lifestyles of this community. However, it has faced significant controversy and criticism for its alleged misrepresentation of the Romani Gypsy community. Billy Welch, a spokesman for Romani Gypsies, stated: "They called the show Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and you've yet to see a Romani Gypsy in it."

The American version has been particularly scrutinised by Romani-Americans, journalists, and activists concerned with minority rights. They argue that the series is "wildly misleading," perpetuates racist stereotypes, and misrepresents the American Romani community. Despite the criticism and eventual cancellation, the show garnered a dedicated fan base, drawn to the dramatic and extravagant weddings featured on the show.

The original British series also sparked interest and controversy, with one of its stars, Paddy Doherty, going on to win Celebrity Big Brother. The show brought attention to the lives of travellers and the over-the-top wedding dresses worn by gypsy brides.

The show has faced criticism and allegations of racism

The show "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" and its American spin-off have faced a number of controversies, including allegations of racism in its advertising and causing a rise in racially motivated bullying. The Romani Gypsy community has criticised the series for misrepresenting the ethnic minority with non-Romani characters posing as "Gypsy". Billy Welch, a spokesman for Romani Gypsies, stated: ""They called the show Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and you've yet to see a Romani Gypsy in it".

The American version of the series has faced similar criticism from Romani-Americans, journalists, and activists concerned with minority rights, claiming that the series is ""wildly misleading", cultivating racist stereotypes, and misrepresenting the American Romani community.

The show's advertising campaign has also been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which ruled that it depicted a 15-year-old child in a sexualised way, reinforced negative stereotypes, and that Channel 4 had acted "irresponsibly".

Educational consultant Brian Foster, who chairs the advisory council for the education of Romanies and other Travellers, stated that there was "no question" that the show and its advertising campaign had caused "real, measurable and long-term harm", including "physical and sexual assault, racist abuse and bullying, misinformation and hostile questioning, resulting in damage to the self-esteem of children and withdrawal from school".

Arthur Ivatts, an expert in the education of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, agreed with this assessment, stating that the advertising campaign had "seriously damaged and harmed Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and caused harm (physical, mental and emotional) to very many GR&T children". He added that the campaign would have been equally unacceptable if it had said "Bigger, Fatter, Blacker".

The show's executive producer, Jes Wilkins, acknowledged that some of the media responses to the show had been disappointing and upsetting to contributors, but seemed to place the blame on the tabloid press, stating: "It's become one of the big cultural phenomena of this part of the year and people are looking for something to write about it, something provocative".

The cast members have been involved in controversies and legal issues

The cast members of "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" have been involved in several controversies and legal issues. The show has been criticised for misrepresenting the English Romani and Traveller community. Jane Jackson of the Rural Media Company stated:

> It's posing as a documentary, the voiceover is saying we're going to let you into the secrets of the traveller community – and it [sic] just not true. It might be true of the particular families in front of the camera, but it's not generally true. They're made to look totally feckless, not really to be taken seriously as an ethnic group.

Similarly, Billy Welch, a spokesman for Romani Gypsies, criticised the show for focusing exclusively on Irish Travellers and their traditions, despite the show's title.

The series has also been accused of racism in its advertising and instigating a rise in the rate of racially motivated bullying. The episode "No Place Like Home" was particularly controversial, as it featured young girls provocatively dancing and wearing full make-up.

In addition to these criticisms, the show has been accused of perpetuating stereotypes and misrepresenting the cultures of Travellers and Roma. The show's portrayal of these communities as uneducated, flashy, and closed-minded has been deemed simplistic and misleading.

Furthermore, cast members have been involved in legal issues. For example, one episode of the show featured an illegal horse-and-trap road race, a family faced with eviction from their illegal site, and a visit to a father in prison.

In response to the criticism, Executive Producer Jes Wilkins stated that the problem has been with the media response, particularly from the tabloid press, which has focused on provocative aspects of the show.

The show features extravagant weddings and over-the-top dresses

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, which aired from 2012 to 2018, became well-known for its extravagant weddings and over-the-top dresses. The show highlighted the differences between the American Gypsy lifestyle and more traditional American norms. One of the most notable dresses from the show was a $40,000 bridal gown that weighed 110 pounds and was made from 1,200 feet of fabric and 50,000 hand-sewn crystals. It was designed by Sondra Celli for the season four premiere, where Greek gypsy Tatiana requested the "biggest, blingiest dress" possible. The dress was so large that it filled up Celli's office and required a flatbed semi-truck with a police motorcade to transport it to the wedding venue.

Another notable dress from the show was worn by Priscilla Kelly, a potential bride from Season 1. Kelly, who was only 14 years old at the time of filming, attended a party to meet potential suitors in a large, elaborate pink heart-style dress. While Kelly did not end up getting married on the show, she has since gone on to become a professional wrestler, adopting a sexy goth persona in the ring.

Season 2 of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding featured the first gay wedding on the show, with cast member Ana. Ana worked as a correction officer, and it is unclear if she is still with her partner, Linda. Another memorable wedding from Season 2 was the double wedding of Romanichal sisters Kayla and Kandace. While both sisters are now stay-at-home moms, their relationships have changed since the show: Kandace is single, and Heather, who married Brandon against her mother's wishes, is also single.

One of the most controversial moments on the show involved Tuter, a bride from Season 5 who wore a black wedding dress. Tuter, described as a "rocker chick", went against her mother's wishes and traditional wedding dress norms by choosing a black gown for her big day. While there is not much information available about Tuter today, it is known that she is a mother to at least one child.

While My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is no longer airing new episodes, the show certainly left a lasting impression with its extravagant weddings and dresses that pushed the boundaries of size, style, and bling.

The show has led to spin-offs and inspired other similar shows

The show "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" has inspired several spin-offs and similar shows. The original UK series aired on Channel 4 and spawned an American spin-off called "My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding", which aired on TLC. The American version, which ran from 2012 to 2018, focused on the marriage customs of Romani-Americans and those of Irish Traveller descent.

The success of these shows led to further spin-offs, including "Gypsy Sisters" in 2013, which ran for three seasons and followed a group of women from West Virginia. Other spin-offs include Gypsy Matchmakers and potential reboots of "Gypsy Sisters", with cast members from the original show hinting at a possible return.

The original series and its spin-offs have also inspired similar shows, such as "Virgin Gypsy Brides", "14 and Looking for Mr. Right", "It's a Man's World", and "Murphy's Secret Village". These shows delve into the lives and customs of gypsy communities, often focusing on extravagant weddings, unique rites of passage, and family dynamics.

While the "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" franchise has sparked numerous spin-offs and inspired similar shows, it has also faced controversies. Allegations of racism, cultural misrepresentation, and the cultivation of stereotypes have been levelled against both the British and American versions of the show. Despite this, the franchise has left an indelible mark on reality television, with its influence extending beyond its own spin-offs.

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