Big Men Are Sexy Too

Ebony, April, 1999

Some full-figured Brothers have it and are flaunting it

THERE'S something about a large-sized man that commands attention. When he walks into a room, heads turn. He has a compelling presence, an aura of authority and, for some women, an undeniable appeal that's larger than life. From the seductive vocals of singer Gerald Levert to the irresistible charm of weatherman Al Roker, full-bodied men are flaunting their debonair styles and proving that sexiness comes in all shapes and sizes. Truly, there's more to a full-bodied man than meets the eye.

Many Black men maintain that they prefer a woman with "a little meat on her bones." Now more than ever, larger men are stealing the spotlight from their slimmer counterparts. Singer Barry White, famous for making ladies swoon in the '70s, blazed a trail for the next generation of big men with even bigger appeal. Today, men can be comfortable with their larger physiques and succeed in life and in love.

The self-proclaimed "Overweight Lover" Heavy D went from being known as Dwight Arrington Myers, the "big, cute boy" raised in Mount Vernon, N.Y., to the sexy "teddy bear" frontman of the '80s rap group Heavy D and the Boyz. His last solo album, Waterbed Hev, reached the Top 10, thanks to the hit songs "Nothing But Love" and "Big Daddy." Heavy D's musical career also reaches behind-the-scenes. Formerly a president at Uptown Records, he is currently the senior vice president for Universal Music. Despite his sexy, big-man image, the busy musician and executive says he has little time for love. "I look forward to settling down one day, but it has to be right," he says. "It just takes a little time."

Charismatic and witty, weatherman and feature reporter Al Roker has earned a loyal following as part of NBC's Today Show team and as host of the MSNBC show Remember This? and his own CNBC program. All that exposure to the public has made Roker a role model for plus-sized men, as well as a sex symbol to many women. "Al is a wonderful, warm, supporting, funny, generous guy--all the things one would want in a mate," says his wife of three years, ABC reporter Deborah Roberts.

What is it about overweight men that some women find so inviting? A professional woman in her mid-30s was asked what she found appealing about her new boyfriend, a successful businessman who is 5-foot-11 and 290 pounds. "He is the best lover I've ever had," she replied with a knowing smile. "He is sweet and gentle and giving, and he knows how to use every single pound he has to please me. I'd never dated a big man before, but my whole idea of lovemaking has changed. Now whenever I see a big man, I can't help but smile."

A 28-year-old Atlanta woman is attracted to the confidence and easygoing nature of full-bodied men. "They're more comfortable with their physiques," she says. "They're not as vain as Brothers who spend too much time in the gym. I'm more impressed by how a man treats me than how he looks."

Heavy D, Roker and their contemporaries are a growing part of the population--35 percent of American men are considered to be moderately to excessively overweight, doctors say. While the fashion industry has offered larger-sized men's clothing for centuries, the demands of this growing market have forced designers into offering more fashionable options made of high-quality fabrics. However, staying on top of the trends can be difficult.

"Being a big guy, I can't just walk into a store and pick stuff off the shelf," says Jazz, a member of the R&B group Dru Hill. "Most clothes are made for small people. I'll go into the stores to get different ideas, but I have all my clothes tailor-made." At 22, Jazz's style is a bit more conservative than that of the rest of Dru Hill. "I'm a calm person, and I think my personality shows in the way I dress," he maintains. "Always tailored, well-dressed ... conservative-looking and important. That's the way to be."

In addition to working as head of his own production company, TAJ Entertainment, Jazz is enjoying the success of Dru Hill's second album, Enter the Dru. He confesses that his appeal to Dru Hill's female fans still catches him off guard. "I still can't believe it when I go onstage. I'm honored that women think I'm a sex symbol."

One plus-sized singer accustomed to crazed female fans is Gerald Levert. As a member of a legendary musical family (father Eddie founded the O'Jays), Gerald formed the R&B group Levert with his younger brother and a friend. The wildly successful trio recorded four successful albums together before Gerald went solo. His latest album, Love and Consequences, showcases his emotionally wrought lyrics and his raw, soulful voice.

From the very beginning of his career, Barry White was the very essence of sex appeal. White's signature sensual style earned him a loyal following in the '70s, and his hit-making career includes the songs "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" and "Never Gonna Give You Up." His classic songs are enjoying renewed popularity, thanks in part to exposure in commercials and setting the mood on television shows such as Fox's Ally McBeal. White has been a large man for most of his life, but his size has done nothing to decrease his popularity with women of all ages.