A veteran Father Christmas performer, Mike Mendoza, was recently let go from his role for being deemed “too fat” to fit into the Santa Suit provided by Lapland UK. This decision came as a surprise to Mendoza, who had successfully portrayed Santa for over 40 years without any issues. The costume team at Lapland UK sent him an email stating that his Santa costume did not meet the required performance standards, leading to the termination of his contract just before he was set to begin rehearsals for the Christmas experience at Windsor Great Park.
Mendoza expressed feeling “fat shamed” and financial strain due to the loss of the contract, estimating a loss of about £9,000. Despite his disappointment, he highlighted the irony of being dismissed for his weight, noting that the image of a plump Father Christmas is traditional and expected.
For the past five years, portraying Santa had been Mendoza’s primary source of income, supporting himself and his wife, Jennifer. He recounted his excitement at being selected to work at Lapland UK and the subsequent disappointment of not being able to fulfill the role due to size constraints.
Lapland UK, in response to the situation, clarified that their costume sizes are limited, with the largest size being XXXL. They emphasized the importance of fittings and rehearsals for all actors involved in the Christmas experience. Additionally, Lapland UK stated that their roles are contingent on successful completion of various checks and training processes.
Despite the setback, Mendoza remains hopeful and determined to continue his portrayal of Santa, reflecting on his longstanding career as Saint Nicholas and expressing gratitude for the opportunities he has had in the past.
