Natalie Hage: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Natalie hage facebook page

Facebook/Natalie Hage Natalie Hage pictured on her Facebook page.

A plus sized model turned the tables on a man who was body shaming her by posting a video of his groveling apology on Facebook. Model Natalie Hage posted the video to her Facebook page on June 29. Hage was traveling from Dallas to Los Angeles when the incident occurred. Hage says she noticed the man texting furiously and hiding his phone from her. When Hage did get a look at what he was writing, Hage saw the man had been insulting her in texts to a friend. Eventually, Hage started recording on her phone and she confronted the bully.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. The Bully Wrote in One Message: ‘She Looks Like She Ate a Mexican’

The man, identified only as Eric, apparently wrote a message to a friend saying that it looked as though Hage had “eaten a Mexican.” Eric also wrote that he was leaving a “neck mark on the window” because Hage was pressing up against him. Hage detailed the event on Instagram.

Hage says that she paid an extra $70 for her seat because she knew she would need more leg room. Hage wrote, “As soon as I sat down, the gentleman on my left began LOUDLY huffing, sighing, and readjusting himself in his seat… I see him furiously texting and then purposefully turning the phone away from me. So, naturally, next time he texts, I take a look. The texts were about me.”

Eric allegedly continued, “His next text to her was ‘if the news reports a DFW airbus a321 leaving the runway without rotating, that would be my flight.” Hage says that when she asked the other man sitting in their row if he would change seats, the man laughed and said he wouldn’t switch.

Eventually, Hage resorted to confronting Eric. After apologizing, Eric questioned whether Hage should be sitting in the emergency row as she may not be able to help. Hage told Eric, “Don’t ever treat somebody like that again.”


2. Hage Is Dating a Black Metal Musician

Natalie hage boyfriend Geoff Colvin

Facebook/Geoff ColvinHage and her boyfriend Geoff Colvin.

Hage is in a relationship with Dallas-based musician Geoff Colvin. According to his Facebook page, the pair have been together since March 2015. Just before her video went viral, Hage had said on Facebook that she and Colvin were attending an Iron Maiden concert together.

Colvin is the bass player in Texas-based black metal band Bear Witness. The group’s Facebook page reads, “Bear Witness will kick your face in and leave you wanting more.”

Colvin paid tribute to his girlfriend in an April 2017 Instagram post reading:

The last couple of years have been a rollercoaster, but the constant through it all has been Natalie Hage. Extremely thankful to have someone who always pushes me to find my best, and can say that she has absolutely helped me become a better person in the 8 years that we’ve known each other. Thanks for being you, you mean the world to me.

In response to Hage’s body shaming incident, Colvin said, “So heated about this. This is why I hate to fly too.”


3. Hage Says Her Syle Is ‘Soft Grunge Goth Meets Urban OutFATters’

Natalie hage facebook page

Facebook/Natalie HageOne of the many hateful messages that Hage has to deal with on a daily basis.

In an August 2016 interview with Wear Your Voice, Hage described her style as:

I describe my style as “soft grunge goth meets urban outFATters.” I love a mostly black wardrobe, with emphasis on solid color pieces with pops of color or metals in accessories. Mainly, my style goal is to provoke the thought “…I didn’t know that a fat girl could wear that.

During that piece, Hage also spoke about her Arab-heritage saying:

I find so much sadness in not being recognized as Arab or someone who is a person of color. There are such pride and rich history and heritage in being Arab, and I, in my personal life, celebrate it daily.

Online, I have a hard time navigating it because I never know “how” to. I, on one hand, want to shout it from the rooftops, but if I bring it up, I get told I’m not Arab-looking enough.

If I don’t bring it up, I get told that I never bring it up. I get told I don’t “look Arab,” but in fact, I look so much like all of my aunts and cousins. I have all of my father’s features and I feel so glad to have them.

In terms of politics, Hage says that she passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement “because we do not live in a society that takes care of Black people.”

According to her Facebook page, Hage is from Denton, Texas. Prior to her experience on the American Airlines flight, Hage had written of her excitement regarding the trip saying, “Surprise! I’m headed to LA for a super short time for a super cool thing. Can’t wait to share it!”

Hage describes herself in the page as a “fat lady with a penchant for all-black clothes, feminism, dark lipstick, heavy music, and pugs.”


4. Hage Says That She Works Out 5 Times-a-Week

During Hage’s unfortunate interaction with Eric, Hage mentioned that she works out five-times-a-week. In a January 2017 blog post, Hage went through her workout routine as well as recommending workout clothes for plus sized women.

Hage concludes the post saying, “No one workout is going to work for everyone and as long as you feel good in your body, just keep moving, if you wish to! Any movement is good movement.”


5. Hage Has Called Her Experience ‘Part of a Fat Person’s Daily Reality’

In her Instagram post, Hage expanded on the struggles faced by big people. She wrote:

This is a fat person’s daily reality and not just on a plane. This is on a bus, standing in line at the grocery store, at a concert, on the internet. You can be completely in your own space, not bothering anyone, and people will still f*** with you and try to hurt you… All you can do is know you haven’t done anything wrong just by existing and to move on.

Hage thanked those who have supported her, “Thank you so so so much for the messages and comments overflowing with kindness. My heart is full… I couldn’t NOT speak up. I’m so tired of fat people being a social punching bag. I won’t stand for it. I hope this dude learned something today.”