Whitney Thore, star of TLC’s “My Big Fat Fabulous Life,” surprised fans by reuniting with longtime friend Ashley Baynes. This surprise meeting led to a lot of talk online about their friendship. People were curious, especially since Ashley hasn’t been on the show lately.
In a new Instagram post, Whitney and Ashley were seen smiling together while filming in Virginia, sparking major buzz. Fans instantly began celebrating the reunion, with one commenting,
“So good to see you and Ash together! 💕”
Another follower didn’t waste any time asking the big question:
“Yaaaaaay are you filming again? I can’t wait ❤️🔥”
It sure looks that way. Cameras were spotted in the background, and fans quickly recognized the signs: this wasn’t just a casual catch-up. It was a filmed girls’ trip.
But not everyone was smiling. One commenter on Reddit put it bluntly:
“She’s been friends with Ash, but she’s not friends with Heather anymore.”
My Big Fat Fabulous Life: So… What Happened to Heather?
Heather Sykes, once a constant in Whitney’s inner circle, is noticeably absent from the trip and from Whitney’s recent posts. Even Instagram tells a story—fans noticed they no longer follow each other. The speculation came in fast.
“I thought I read a thread here saying she wasn’t friends with both anymore,” one Reddit user posted. “They didn’t follow each other on the Gram anymore.”
And while there’s no official drama confirmed, fans are reading between the lines. One user asked,
“What happened with Ashley?”
Another dropped this observation:
“If Ashley is going to be back in the new season, I would enjoy it. The last season was kind of stale.”
Even more telling? Heather’s complete disappearance while Ashley reemerges. As one viewer noted,
“Y’all look incredible!!! 🌈🖤 … but where is Heather?”
My Big Fat Fabulous Life: Is Ashley Back for Good—or Just for Filming?
Ashley and Whitney still follow each other online. Fans say Ashley once posted she left the show due to time constraints, not personal issues.
That lines up with Ashley’s reputation in the fandom.
“Ashley truly has a heart of gold and a forgiving nature,” a Redditor wrote. “I can’t imagine what you’d have to do for her to completely cut you out.”
Still, not all fans are thrilled. There’s some lingering shade:
“Why does she always post unflattering photos of Ash??”
“To make herself look good!” another shot back.
But others are just happy to see her back:
“You girls rock 🫶🎉💃”
“Welcome to Virginia!!”
“Aww goosy and the Bomb Chick.. Squad❤️❤️🔥🔥”
And if this trip is a hint at a new season? Fans are here for it:
“That’s a lot of cameras! Normal influencer life?”
“Cameras = new season 😍”
My Big Fat Fabulous Life: Road Trippin’ to a New Season?
The buzz is louder than ever. Whitney and Ashley in matching smiles, on a girls trip, surrounded by a camera crew, and back in their element has fans convinced that Season 12 (or is it 13?) is on the way.
One fan couldn’t contain their excitement:
“The second pic made me think of when your mom shaved your legs for you… I’m excited for the new season!”
Another added:
“Y’all look so good! Is HENCHi on the girls trip too?! 😂”
Even Whitney’s outfit got praise:
“Whits outfit is CUTE! I need this!”
“You both look great 🙌🏻🤍”
But it wasn’t all sweetness. A few eagle-eyed viewers questioned the editing:
“What in the name of Photoshop is going on here? Now suddenly appearing smaller than Jessica? Sure, Jan.”
Share your thoughts in the comments!
