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Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can’t Get In Because She’s Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her
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Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can’t Get In Because She’s Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Interview
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When you think of a party bus, your mind automatically jumps to good times with friends, right? Though, apparently, some party buses aren’t for everyone and discriminate against you based on your size and weight. If you’re a “big girl,” you’re not welcome… That’s the negative experience that 27-year-old body positivity advocate Fallon Melillo had on a recent trip.

The Texan from San Antonio traveled to Miami Beach in Florida where she and her friends decided to head to a pool party and opted to go on a party bus. However, she was told that she wasn’t allowed on the bus because of her size. Fallon shared the story on TikTok where it immediately went viral. Scroll down to get all the details and let us know what you think of the entire situation in the comments, dear Pandas.

Fallon told Bored Panda that she had a fair amount of TikTok followers and hoped that people would see her initial video and not use that particular party service in Miami. “I never thought so many editors and reporters would reach out to me and want to hear my story. It’s really nice that so many people want to cover this even if I am getting backlash from people who are being rude,” she opened up about the huge amount of attention she’s been getting online since her story went viral.

The woman wanted to make it very clear that they bought the tickets through a promoter on Facebook, not Eventbrite. “We purchased the tickets at least a week prior. I just so happened to see that ad the night before the pool party. We reached out to Daer [the club] via online chat on their website and they assured us they don’t discriminate against weight. So we went to the party bus being hopeful it would work out since we didn’t actually buy the tickets through Eventbrite and the promoter did not disclose any of that information.” You’ll find the rest of our interview with Fallon below, so be sure to read on, dear Pandas.

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More info: TikTok | Instagram

Fallon shared how a party bus denied her entry because of her size and how she felt utterly humiliated

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Image credits: fallonlindsey

The woman believes that the entire business model needs to change to be more accepting of customers of all sizes

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

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Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

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Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

According to Fallon, some people see themselves as superior to those who are plus-size. “People view ‘fat’ people as less than. If there were laws protecting bigger people, I think a lot of people in society would view it as accepting their fatness and being ‘unhealthy.’ If society doesn’t acknowledge it’s a problem then they don’t have to protect individuals. Society has to recognize that this is discrimination for change to happen. Much like with the laws that protect discrimination towards race and LGBTQ communities. Nothing was changed without a fight or a voice.”

The body positivity advocate explained to Bored Panda that being bigger or overweight immediately invites nasty comments from others who think it’s fine to pass judgment on them.

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“When you are bigger people automatically judge you and think you’re lazy and don’t care about your body or health. There are plenty of bigger people who are healthy. Like myself. I recently lost a fair amount of weight over the last year and a half and I’m still plus-size. And some people have genetic conditions, disorders, and diseases that prevent them from losing weight. It’s not black and white and one-dimensional,” she pointed out that life is much more nuanced than many people believe.

Fallon also had some spot-on advice on what to do if someone’s ever in a similar situation. “My advice is to not let places like this party bus company or even cities like LA, Vegas, and Miami lower your self-esteem because you’re not their idea of beauty. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. No matter your shape or size. Body acceptance is for anyBODY,” she said that you have to remain strong in the face of criticism.

“I was humiliated in the moment, but I’ve never been someone to remain quiet. I have always advocated for myself and stuck up for what I believe in. And I encourage others to do the same. However, our society is rooted in such fatphobic hate that it’s really hard for bigger people to speak out in their experiences for fear of judgment—which is exactly what’s happening to me right now. I just want people to know, not everyone is going to like you but you still deserve to exist in your body.”

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You can watch Fallon’s full video right over here

@curvybbplease boost!!! ##boost ##miami ##daerdayclub ##partybus ##plussize ##biggirls ##curvy ##thiccc ##fatphobia ##fat ##chubby ##rue21BeYouChallenge♬ original sound – Fally♥️

The woman shared that her group of friends was planning to go to a party held at a club called Daer on July 31. However, Fallon spotted that the Spring Break Miami Party Service Bus’ description on Eventbrite listed some fairly disturbing info.

“Sorry, no big girls for this party! The doorman is very strict on appearance. If you have had problems getting into exclusive clubs before, then this is not for you! Please don’t waste your time nor ours thinking that we can get you inside if you do not meet the qualifications,” the page said.

Fallon told BuzzFeed’s Alexa Lisitza that she and her friends reached out to the club and they assured them that they don’t discriminate against weight. Naturally, they relaxed and thought that everything would go swimmingly. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

When they got to the party bus, one of the staff members told Fallon’s friend that they wouldn’t allow the 27-year-old plus-size woman on board because of her weight. Fallon felt utterly humiliated and embarrassed.

Fallon told BuzzFeed: “Being turned away in front of other people because of how I look and my size was absolutely humiliating. I was embarrassed and shocked, to say the least. Even though I know I am beautiful on the inside and out, this moment made me feel helpless. This is what every plus-size person fears—being turned away from an event because of how we look.”

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She also posted an update about how the bus service supposedly changed their name (while still being discriminatory)

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Nobody reached out to Fallon to apologize to her, even as her story went viral online

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Image credits: fallonlindsey

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Image credits: fallonlindsey

The group got a refund and found another way to get to the club. Since the incident, the party bus’ Eventbrite page got taken down and replaced by a new event that’s called ‘Open Bar Party + DAER Pool Party (EDM – Electronic Music) A model look is encouraged.’

They also added this bit of discriminatory information in the description: “As much as we would like to welcome everyone, admission to this exclusive event is very selective and we reserve the right [to] deny service.”

Fallon believes that the idea that having a model look is encouraged is “disgusting” and discriminatory against plus-size women. She also pointed out that there are plenty of plus-size models now, so the term isn’t as clear-cut as the bus service would like it to be.

The body positivity advocate noted in an update that many Miami party bus services discriminate against women who are bigger. What’s more, absolutely nobody from the bus service or the club reached out to Fallon to apologize to her for what happened. With her story going viral, you’d think that they’d do at least that.

Here’s how some TikTok users reacted to the party bus staff turning the woman away

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

Meanwhile, here’s what some Facebook users thought of the entire situation

Party Bus Staff Tells Woman She Can't Get In Because She's Plus-Sized, She Exposes The Business That Humiliated Her

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Read less »
Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

Read less »

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

Hey pandas, what do you think?
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bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This shows once again that sometimes civilisation doesn't mean that people are civilised. It's absurd that people can get refused service based on their appearance.

amyleigh-ritediesel avatar
Yuki Li
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happens everywhere. & it wouldn't work if humans weren't inherently prone to the beauty bias. For example, certain high-end restaurants will seat the more attractive patrons near the window etc.

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dremosley avatar
Dre Mosley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Miami, so I'm not surprised. Plenty of parties and clubs down there only welcome people with a certain look.

coreysmith avatar
Corey Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything about Miami is shallow and superficial. I can't stand that place.

Load More Replies...
kuyakuya722 avatar
Ansirk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about stop being ignorant by not going to a DAMN party in the middle of global pandemic?!!

Load More Comments
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This shows once again that sometimes civilisation doesn't mean that people are civilised. It's absurd that people can get refused service based on their appearance.

amyleigh-ritediesel avatar
Yuki Li
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happens everywhere. & it wouldn't work if humans weren't inherently prone to the beauty bias. For example, certain high-end restaurants will seat the more attractive patrons near the window etc.

Load More Replies...
dremosley avatar
Dre Mosley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Miami, so I'm not surprised. Plenty of parties and clubs down there only welcome people with a certain look.

coreysmith avatar
Corey Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything about Miami is shallow and superficial. I can't stand that place.

Load More Replies...
kuyakuya722 avatar
Ansirk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about stop being ignorant by not going to a DAMN party in the middle of global pandemic?!!

Load More Comments
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