LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kim Rhodes has brought 'The Suite Life' writers under fire as she revealed a Disney executive "with significant power" body shamed her onscreen son Dylan Sprouse while comparing him with his twin brother Cole Sprouse.
Rhodes recalled the incident on the November 28 episode of Christy Carlson Romano's 'Vulnerable' podcast. "Dylan and Cole had different body types. And in front of everyone, Dylan was body-shamed," the 54-year-old actress said.
She played the role of Carey Martin, the mother of Dylan and Cole, on the Disney Channel show.
Kim Rhodes defended Dylan Sprouse on the show
Rhodes said that she defended Dylan after the alleged executive, whom she refused to name, shouted at the teenager.
"I'm wondering if this is gonna get me in trouble... I think it'll be okay. I just won't name names. Someone of significant power came down to the craft service, which is where they have all the tasty food, for those of you who don't know. And screamed at the number of donuts, and said, 'No more junk food until he [Dylan] looks like him [Cole] again,'" the actress said.
She explained, "Because Dylan and Cole had different body types, and in front of everyone, Dylan was bodyshamed."
This prompted her to react furiously. "I was like, 'You do not... You don't have the right to say that to a child. You don't have the right to be writing for children if that is your attitude. Never again do you speak like that. Never.'"
The TV mother recalled that as the "only time" she really advocated for them, and the conversation then smoothly transitioned to how she does "not know
Dylan Sprouse also refused to make fat jokes about Kim Rhodes
Rhodes's latest revelation comes days after she told how Dylan refused to make a fat joke at her expense even after being yelled at by a producer.
Kim Rhodes recollected that when she was pregnant during filming, Dylan kept "skipping over" a fat joke. Finally, when he did so in front of the studio audience, the executive producer shouted at him to read the line.
She recalled that Dylan declared, "I would not disrespect any woman that way, let alone this woman. You write something funny and I'll say it."
Her pregnancy while on the show was prey to body shaming jokes, and the way the actor defended her is one of Rhodes's "favorite memories" from 'The Suite Life.'
Internet slams the writers for body-shaming content
As parts of her revelation about the sets of the show surfaced on X, netizens expressed their annoyance with the writers and creators of 'The Suite Life' for including fat jokes and body shaming a teenage actor while filming.
On the other hand, many praised Rhodes for taking a stand against the show-runners and protecting her onscreen sons.
One user noted, "The writers for that show really had issues with weight in general bc she got pregnant one season and they was writing fat jokes about her for the twins to say." Another added, "Some adults have zero sense."
"Yes they don't have such right," another said, agreeing with Rhodes. Another also reiterated, "You don't have the right to say that to either a child or anyone. That's a very dirty thing to say. I'm glad you stood up for him."
"Who in their right senses say that to a child?" asked one furious user. Another person applauded Rhodes, saying, "Standing up against body shaming is crucial, especially when it involves young actors. Kudos to Kim Rhodes for taking a stand!"
"Kim did the right defending Dylan," declared a seventh person. One more user commented, "That's terrible, glad she stood up for him."
