Model claims nightclub promoter told her she could only bring 'two or three' plus-size friends

'It's not okay and I want to fight'

Chelsea Ritschel
Thursday 27 September 2018 17:40 BST
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Plus-size model discusses fat-shaming from club promoter

A size-18 model has expressed her disgust and anger after she was allegedly told by a London club promoter that she could only bring two or three plus-size friends to her birthday party.

Kaisa Henriikka was planning her party at a popular London club through the help of a third-party promoter called DJ L when she was asked whether all of her guests would be plus-size models.

According to a screenshot of the conversation, the promoter said he was “not trying to be rude,” but knew that some clubs “can be funny.”

“If it’s two to three girls in your group, that is fine, hope you understand,” he wrote.

Surprised by the promoter’s response, Henriikka asked: “Omg really? So you only want skinny people in your clubs?”

After receiving his response - that he’d only asked because he knows some clubs have strict door policies - Henriikka shared the post on her Instagram, where she has more than 21,000 followers, and captioned the photo: “WTF??? Only two-three plus-sized girls per group are allowed to party at London’s finest nightclubs! I am furious.”

The model then took to Instagram stories to further explain the incident, before telling her followers: “I find it highly offending and I can’t believe that people would discriminate because of size and I just want to make a big deal out of this because it’s not okay and I want to fight.”

Since sharing the conversation with the promoter, Henriikka has received hundreds of messages of support from people shocked that discrimination over size still exists.

“This is why we need to address the fat-shaming issue!” Style and Curve magazine wrote on Instagram. “This is so unfair. Partying is for all!”

On an Instagram poll Henriikka created asking her followers whether they’ve ever felt uncomfortable going to a “fancy club” because of their size, 89 per cent said yes - which sparked a conversation on social media, with other people sharing their own experiences feeling discriminated by nightclubs.

Following Henriikka’s Instagram post, one Mayfair club appears to have liked the model’s Instagram posts, according to a screenshot she shared- a gesture she called “too little too late.”

The Independent has contacted Henriikka and DJ L for comment.

Speaking to The Sun, DJ L said: "I don't want to be sending people to clubs where we know they're going to have a problem.

"Even if you're not dressed right you can be turned away, or if you're in a big group, I know how it works.

"They're shooting the messenger. I love seeing people enjoying themselves and I didn't want to send 10 people there for them not to get in."

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