The Untold Truth Of TLC's 1000-Lb Sisters
Lifestyle - News
By BRENT FURDYK
This story contains discussions of suicide and depression.
CONTENT WARNING
Fame on YouTube
In 2014, Amy and Tammy Slaton first skyrocketed to YouTube fame by taking on the "Chubby Bunny Challenge." In a famous video, the sisters crammed marshmallow after marshmallow into their mouths, cracking each other up as they did so; the video quickly went viral, racking up over 1.8 million views.
Online Bullies
The double-edged sword of stardom means that the things that make someone popular are usually the same things that they face criticism and bullying for. In 2017, Amy Slaton posted a video of herself reading some of the “hate comments” she and Tammy have received, and fans have also defended the sisters from trolls.
Health Issues
Tammy Slaton has weighed more than 600 pounds, so it's no surprise that she's experienced limited mobility, blood clots, pneumonia, gout, and more. In an interview with the Louisville Courier Journal, Tammy explained her motivation to have bariatric surgery, saying, “I'm tired of being sick all the time. I'm just done.”
Depression
Chronic health issues not only kept Tammy Slaton housebound for years, but also left the TLC star suffering from severe depression. In December 2019, she told People that the isolation brought her to the brink of taking her own life, but now, "I don't feel like I have to wear a mask or hide my body [...] I'm not afraid to let people see me."
grief and overeating
Amy Slaton turned to food as a means of coping with grief. She told the Louisville Courier Journal that her weight was overall average until age 10, when her grandmother, who was "basically our mom," passed away; Amy and Tammy then had to feed themselves, often with unhealthy instant foods.