Gabourey Sidibe Proves Howard Stern Wrong

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - "Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe, 26, received an inspiring tribute from Oprah Winfrey when her name was read aloud before the best actress award was handed out at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

But according to CNN.com , instead of critics focusing on her achievement – competing in the same category as Hollywood heavyweights, including Meryl Streep and 2010 Oscar winner Sandra Bullock – they have begun a debate on whether the overweight star will make it in film.

Howard Stern raised the weight issue on his Sirius satellite radio show this week: "What movie could she play in? You feel bad because everyone pretends that she's part of show business, and she's never going to be in another movie."

But according to AOL , on "The View" Thursday Whoopi Goldberg shot back at Stern mentioning other heavier actors that get plenty of movie roles, naming Kathy Bates and Queen Latifah.

And to prove her point further, in 2007, a full-figured Jennifer Hudson – at the time – won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in "Dreamgirls."

Goldberg also said if Stern was going to raise this issue, he should get it right, and pointed out that Sidibe – who also starred in "Hairspray" – already has other roles lined up.

"Gabby actually has a TV show and two movies that she's doing," Goldberg quipped. "You think she's big, okay. But at least get the facts right."

Access Hollywood reports that the up-and-coming actress' size hasn't gotten in the way of her taking on a new recurring part alongside Laura Linney in the new dark comedy series "The Big C," that will debut in late summer.

And the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Sidibe has already proven Stern wrong, landing a role in the new silver screen film "Yelling To The Sky," also starring Lenny Kravitz's daughter Zoe Kravitz.