For most people, weight loss is the goal. For Monica Riley, it’s the complete opposite.
The 27-year-old model from Fort Worth, Texas, has gone viral for her extreme lifestyle choice after revealing that she wants to continue gaining weight — not just a little, but to the point where she becomes completely immobile. At her heaviest, Monica reportedly weighed around 700 pounds (50 stone), and she has openly said her ultimate aim is to reach 1,000 pounds, potentially becoming the heaviest woman in the world.
Rather than trying to slim down, Monica makes money modelling for “Super Sized Big Beautiful Woman” (SSBBW) websites, a niche corner of the internet that celebrates extreme body size. Her photos and videos have attracted thousands of followers — and just as many critics — sparking heated debates about body positivity, health, and personal autonomy.
But what truly shocked people wasn’t just her weight. It was her goal.
Monica has said she wants to become so large that she is unable to move on her own, effectively becoming bed-bound. According to reports, everyday tasks already require assistance, and her mobility has steadily declined as her weight increased.
A major part of her journey involves her boyfriend, Sid Riley, who has been described as a “feeder” — someone who is sexually or emotionally aroused by helping a partner gain weight. Sid reportedly spends much of his day cooking high-calorie meals for Monica, helping her reposition in bed, and assisting with feeding when she is unable to eat independently.
The dynamic has drawn intense scrutiny online.
Some see their relationship as consensual and rooted in mutual desire, while others argue it crosses into dangerous territory — especially given the severe health risks associated with extreme obesity. Doctors have long warned that carrying that level of weight dramatically increases the risk of heart failure, diabetes, infections, blood clots, respiratory issues, and early death.
Monica has acknowledged the risks — but says this is still the life she wants.
In interviews, she has framed her goal as an expression of bodily autonomy, insisting she feels happy, loved, and fulfilled. She has also pushed back against critics, saying that people are too quick to judge bodies that don’t conform to societal norms.
That hasn’t stopped the backlash.
Many online users accuse platforms of glamorising a life-threatening condition, while others worry that monetising extreme weight gain sends a dangerous message — especially to vulnerable audiences. Disability advocates have also raised concerns about intentionally pursuing immobility rather than adapting to it.
At the same time, supporters argue that Monica is an adult making informed choices about her own body, and that outrage often masks deeper discomfort with fat bodies rather than genuine concern for wellbeing.
What makes the story especially divisive is how it sits at the intersection of multiple issues: fetish culture, body positivity, health ethics, and internet fame. In an age where extremes travel faster than nuance, Monica’s life has become content — shared, debated, criticised, and defended by millions of strangers.
Whether people see her as empowered or exploited, one thing is clear: her story forces uncomfortable questions.
Where is the line between choice and harm? Between acceptance and enablement? And who gets to decide what a “healthy” life should look like?
For now, Monica remains firm in her decision, continuing to share her life online while the internet watches — fascinated, horrified, and unable to look away.
And as with many viral stories, the loudest reaction might say as much about us as it does about her.
