The Mean Girls movie premiere was a lucrative event that Joseph Sacchi, a larger-than-life waiter, was excited to work. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 360 pounds, Sacchi dreams of becoming a full-time professional opera singer. However, he claims that Paramount executives decided they didn’t want him working the event because of his size. This incident has led Sacchi to file a lawsuit against the studio, making it possibly the first case filed under New York City’s height- and weight-discrimination ban.
Sacchi’s social media posts mainly feature photos of him from the shoulders up, showcasing his talent as a tenor. He expressed his disappointment and frustration with the way he was treated, stating that it was both financially and emotionally hurtful. As a result, his workplace, The Ribbon restaurant, has become uncomfortable and toxic for him. Sacchi hopes that his lawsuit will set a precedent against fatphobia in New York City and emphasize that a person’s size does not reflect their ability or value.
Interestingly, the musical version of Mean Girls in 2024 features a character who struggles with weight gain, highlighting the irony of discrimination based on size. New York City passed an anti-discrimination measure in 2023 that makes it illegal to treat individuals differently due to their size in employment, public accommodations, and housing. Sacchi is seeking unspecified damages from both the restaurant and the movie studio, as he believes he was excluded solely because of his appearance.
Sacchi’s battle with weight is not new. He has struggled with it since childhood, experiencing comments about his weight as early as kindergarten. While studying musical theater in college, he was told he could only be a character actor due to his size. However, the opera department recognized his potential as a leading tenor, influencing his decision to pursue classical voice. During his undergraduate years, Sacchi managed to lose 150 pounds, which resulted in a noticeable change in how others treated him. Unfortunately, stress, inactivity during the pandemic, and a family tragedy caused him to regain the weight after moving to New York City for graduate school.
Sacchi argues that The Ribbon had a moral and legal obligation to stand up against customer bullying on his behalf. It wasn’t just Paramount who allegedly had an issue with his weight. The restaurant’s scheduling manager allegedly made comments about Sacchi’s ability to move around during the reception. When Sacchi complained, his shifts were reduced, further exacerbating his distress.
Despite the discrimination he faced, Sacchi has achieved recognition and success in his singing career. He won a $6,000 prize as a semi-finalist in the Lotte Lenya Foundation’s annual contest and was a finalist in the Giulio Gari Foundation’s 2023 competition. These organizations aim to support young opera singers, highlighting Sacchi’s talent and potential.
Sacchi’s lawyers, Eric Baum and Juyoun Han, believe that what happened to their client is not only mean but also illegal under New York City law. They state that this incident is an example of hate in the workplace, which is against the law. They are determined to fight against this practice and create a safe environment for individuals like Sacchi. Paramount has denied the allegations and plans to defend themselves vigorously, while The Ribbon restaurant did not provide any comment on the matter.
