Church leader tells teenager she's too 'chubby' to wear shorts during choir practice leaving her in tears

The teenager recorded the entire confrontation on her phone, where the older woman can be heard saying that another girl at the church was also 'chubby' but wore a dress that 'comes to about the top of her knees'
PUBLISHED JUL 2, 2019

A church leader has come under fire for allegedly following a young girl into a bathroom and telling her she was too fat to wear shorts, leaving the teen sobbing in shame.

Jenna was attending choir practice at the Swansboro United Methodist Church in North Carolina when she was told her clothes were not "appropriate" for a "chubby girl", according to a Daily Mail report. The teenager recorded the entire confrontation on her phone, where Bonnie Sue, an older woman, could be heard saying that another girl at the church was also "chubby" but wore a dress that "comes to about the top of her knees." 

Jenna posted the footage on Twitter and drew support from overweight celebrities like comedian Ashley Nicole Black and plus-size model Tess Holliday.

"You can wear whatever the hell you want. I’m sorry this happened to you," Holliday wrote. "I'm so hurt and angry on your behalf right now! I’m so sorry this happened, but so happy you stood up for yourself," Nicole Black added. "You’re beautiful and it’s so cool that you sing at church!!"



 

Jenna can be heard in the clip asking the elderly woman, "So you're calling me fat?" In response, Sue replies: "Oh, you don't think you are?" Jenna then bursts into tears and begins to defend herself. "I love who I am. Get out of my face," she says.

"I don't have to and don't swear at me like that," Sue responds, instructing her not to "come back on that stage with those shorts on." Sue had reportedly followed Jenna into the bathroom during a break in choir practice at the church.

"Who are you to tell me what I am supposed to do. No, get the f*** out of my face. Get out. I am not two years old and I can do what I want," the teen unleashes on Sue. "I have been recording this entire time. And I am never coming back to this church because you are so disrespectful. So disrespectful."

Jenna's shouting is heard by her parents outside, who enter the bathroom to understand what happened. But before Sue could explain to them, Jenna announces: "She called me fat."

Jenna went on to share photos of her outfit that led to the altercation on Twitter. (Twitter)

Jenna later wrote on social media her pastor had promised that due action would be taken against Sue.

"My pastor said she will never be able to be on any sort of committee/any leadership role ever again. Also, my mother bought me these shorts and she would never let me out of the house, let alone to church, in booty shorts," Jenna wrote in a separate post. "I am absolutely astonished someone can have this much hate in her heart. Luckily I was recording her so that my pastor can see the real side to her because she loves to be two-faced and act all holy."  

Concerned commenters asked the rebellious teenager to keep them updated with what happens to Sue. "I'm meeting with the pastors soon to talk with them again and see what has been said and done," Jenna responded. "I will update you guys and let you know what’s happening to her. My mother almost caught a charge. My parents could hear me screaming and came running cause they knew it was me. The guy at the end of the video was my dad, he was trying to get me out of there."

Jenna then went on to post photos of her outfit that led to the altercation. Her jumper was emblazoned with the definition of the word Agape, which means "God's unconditional and unending love."

"Here is the outfit I was wearing that she attacked me..." Jenna wrote alongside the images. "Also please read my shirt because what she did was not agapé love."

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