"FAT GIRL" WHITNEY THORE DANCES HER WAY TO NEW TLC SERIES

-- MY BIG FAT FABULOUS LIFE Premieres Tuesday, January 13 at 10PM ET/PT --

(Los Angeles, Ca.) - After Whitney Thore was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, she quickly gained more than 200 lbs. Once a slender dancer, Whitney felt like a skinny girl trapped in a fat girl's body; she felt as though her life was over. Struggling with self-doubt and societal pressures, but eager to continue sharing her passion for dance with the world, Whitney courageously posted a self-choreographed performance piece on YouTube in January 2014. "A Fat Girl Dancing" became an overnight sensation and turned her life upside down. MY BIG FAT FABULOUS LIFE follows Whitney's life in Greensboro, North Carolina, with all the ups and downs, humor, heart and tears that come with being a fat girl in today's world. This all-new, nine-part series premieres Tuesday, January 13 at 10PM ET/PT on TLC.

Now 380 pounds, Whitney has a fresh outlook on life. She has learned to embrace her body and love herself again and urges others to do the same. Following the success of her "fat girl" dance videos, Whitney launched the No Body Shame Campaign (#nobodyshamecampaign), a movement that works to fight the devastating effects of body shame and promotes self-love and acceptance. The campaign encourages people to rise above the negativity that society imposes on anyone who is "different," and to live their lives to the fullest no matter what the scale says. The movement lives by the motto: "Love yourself. Live fully. No excuses. No shame."

In MY BIG FAT FABULOUS LIFE, viewers will get a window into Whitney's life as she tries to find her way in a world that judges people by their size. She recently moved backed in with her parents at the age of 30. Determined to find happiness from the inside out and live her life out loud, Whitney rediscovers her love of dance, pursuing an aggressive dance schedule despite her weight and even teaching her first dance class for "big girls." She's also throwing herself into the dating scene -- much to the chagrin of her often-meddlesome parents -- and she's waging war on the intolerance that she calls "the last socially acceptable prejudice." From donning a bikini on the beach for the first time in a decade to confronting online bullies who try to body-shame her, Whitney Thore is no longer letting her fear of people's judgment dictate the way she lives her life.

MY BIG FAT FABULOUS LIFE is produced by Pilgrim Studios for TLC.

About TLC

Offering remarkably relatable real-life stories without judgment, the network celebrates the reality that "everyone needs a little TLC." TLC's hit series share everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations, and life's milestone moments such as wedding-themed programs anchored by Say Yes To The Dress. In the first half of 2014, TLC had 25 series averaging 1 million P2+ viewers or more, including six series that averaged 2 million P2+ viewers or more: The Little Couple, 19 Kids and Counting, Return to Amish, Sister Wives, Long Island Medium, and 90 Day Fiancé. TLC is a global brand available in more than 95 million homes in the US and 352 million households in 185 markets internationally. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites, exclusive video content, and original editorial. Fans can also interact with TLC through social media on Facebook, Instagram, and @TLC on Twitter as well as On Demand services and mobile platforms. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA,DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories.