Jamie Lopez, the founder of Babydoll Beauty Couture and star of WE tv's Super Sized Salon, has passed away at the age of 37 due to heart complications. Her death marks the end of a life dedicated to creating safe and inclusive spaces for plus-size women in the beauty industry. Lopez's journey, marked by significant weight loss, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering determination, has left a lasting impact on many.
From Discrimination to Dream Salon: The Genesis of Babydoll Beauty Couture
Jamie Lopez's journey began with personal experiences of discrimination. As a plus-size woman and makeup artist, she faced prejudice and a lack of accommodating services in the beauty industry. In 2017, she told Yahoo Beauty about the discrimination she faced due to her size. This inspired her to create Babydoll Beauty Couture in Las Vegas, a salon designed to cater specifically to the needs of plus-size women.
"I was inspired by there being no place I could get my nails or hair done in Vegas that would accommodate my needs as a plus-size woman, and I decided it was time to make some changes for the plus-size women of the world," Lopez said. Her goal was to provide a safe and welcoming environment where women of all sizes could feel beautiful and pampered.
A Weight Loss Journey: The Path to a Healthier Life
Lopez's weight loss journey was a significant part of her story. At her heaviest, she weighed 846 lbs. Driven by her dream of opening her salon, she embarked on a path to lose weight. Her determination led to an impressive 400-lb weight loss. Before Super Sized Salon aired, Lopez revealed she had lost 400 pounds in one year thanks to diet, exercise, and weight-loss supplements, according to Starcasm. She had also said that a two-year keto diet helped her lose weight.
On an episode of Super Sized Salon, Jamie and Mama June talked about her weight loss options and she admitted she was thinking of going through the gastric sleeve surgery, aka a gastrectomy, to further her weight loss. "When I did look into it, they said I have to be under 500 lbs., which I have reached," she told Mama June in a clip from the episode.
Read also: Jamie White's resilience shines in her weight loss story
Super Sized Salon: Showcasing Inclusivity on WE tv
Super Sized Salon, which premiered on WE tv in July 2022, chronicled Lopez's journey to design her salon while confined to her bed. The show followed the creation of the Las Vegas salon and her weight loss journey. The series quickly gained popularity for its focus on inclusivity and body positivity, and made a lasting impression since it was one of the first of its kind. It resonated with viewers and inspired many plus-size women. The show was preparing to film its second season, according to TMZ.
WE tv paid tribute to Lopez's mission to create inclusive spaces for all women in its own statement. "Jamie's passion to create a safe and welcoming environment for all women at Babydoll Beauty Couture will never be forgotten," the network said. "Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends during this difficult time."
Overcoming Obstacles: Vandalism, Relocation, and Resilience
Lopez's journey was not without its challenges. In 2019, she was forced to relocate her Los Angeles salon after it was vandalized with excrement. "This is my dream and I am not going to give up on it. I have put my life and everything into this - sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears, everything," she said after moving to an even larger venue. "People need a safe space and I am going to give them what they need."
Lopez also faced other obstacles, including being confined to a bed after gaining weight and having to close the salon during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, she remained resilient and determined to continue her mission.
A Voice for the Plus-Size Community: Advocacy and Empowerment
Jamie Lopez was a vocal advocate for the plus-size community. She used her platform to speak out against discrimination and promote body positivity. "People just don't like fat people, they treat us horribly," she told the Mirror in 2019 regarding her drive to foster inclusivity. She strived to create a space where plus-size women could feel accepted and celebrated.
Read also: Jamie Lynn Spears: A Success Story
Lopez also published a book about her experiences, titled Big Fat Lies. "My name is Jamie Lopez and I’m a plus-sized woman. A few years back, I went to a salon to get my hair done, sat down to greet my stylist, and the chair LOUDLY BROKE. Talk about a humiliating experience! Since then, I’ve been to countless nail salons that have turned me down because of my weight. Their chairs simply couldn’t accommodate my fabulous size. I knew I needed to make a change for the greater good. And that’s when my idea was born."
Read also: Weight Loss with Keto Gummies