cast in Survival of the Thickest.

Mavis maintains a great friendship with a drag queen named Peppermint, who helps her get stylist jobs. After a breakthrough, Mavis's styling brand booms, and at one of her jobs, she meets a man named Luca, who she quickly falls for. Meanwhile, her ex-boyfriend Jacque attempts to woo her back. At the end of season 1, Mavis meets a non-binary teen named Billy (Misha Osherovich) who's upset by the gendered dress code for their prom, and with Peppermint's help, she throws an inclusive prom and styles for anyone attending.

Why Mavis Chooses Luca Over Jacque

She Finally Chose For Herself And Not Others

Mavis meets up with Jacque to clear the air, and he tells her he’s changed. Despite this, she refuses to get back with him, insisting she just wanted to part ways amicably. When Mavis ends up in the hospital, Jacque makes the unilateral decision that he’s going to marry Mavis, even though they aren’t together, and goes to her parents and asks for their blessing. This choice continues to show that he's still thinking about himself and his desires instead of considering Mavis.

Mavis learns that Jacque intends to propose from her overbearing parents, who urge her to accept. Mavis feels pressure to gain her mother’s approval, and says she wishes her mom would her instead of questioning her choices. Additionally, Mavis wants to have kids. Given all these factors, saying yes to Jacque was the easy choice, as it made her mom happy, and she could start pursuing the idea of having children.

Luca may not have made as much logistical sense as Jacque, but he always showed himself to be a loving and ive partner.

However, Mavis can’t get Luca out of her head, and realizes her feelings run deeper than she thought. Ultimately, Mavis ends the engagement and flies out to Italy to see Luca. By choosing Luca, Mavis shows that she's grown more secure, needing less approval for her choices. Luca may not have made as much logistical sense as Jacque, but he always showed himself to be a loving and ive partner.

Mavis' Big Career Breakout & Why She Turns Down Natasha's Job Offer

She Wants To Build Her Own Brand

Mavis initially worked as an assistant who wanted to build a brand as a fashion stylist. She’s got a clear eye for fashion, as demonstrated in the show's opening photo shoot. She finally gets her big break when Peppermint sets her up with a styling job with a '90s supermodel named Natasha Karina. After styling a sparkly gown for Natasha, they go to the event, and Natasha struts down the aisle of her ex-husband’s funeral, gives a speech, and drops a sex toy in his casket. While livestreaming the moment, Peppermint tells people to use the tag #MavisKills.

Miss Peppermint plays Peppermint, an exaggerated version of her actual self. She was featured on RuPaul's Drag Race as a contestant in season 9.

The incident goes viral, creating hype for Mavis's brand, and she gets asked to style for some of the other drag queens at the drag club, CC Bloom. Additionally, she gets a job styling Nicole Byer’s lingerie release and also gains a job styling an inclusive prom for all ages at CC Bloom. As a result of her jealousy at Mavis' success, Natasha calls Mavis over and offers her an exclusive styling position that pays $10,000 a month. However, Mavis turns down the job offer, stating that she wants to build a brand with multiple clients rather than just one.

Mavis's choice to decline Natasha's offer may put her in a dangerous financial position, but it shows her willingness to take a risk for herself. She clearly believes she's capable of building something beautiful and meaningful with her brand. Ultimately, Mavis seems happiest when she is styling for lingerie shoots, inclusive proms, or events with body-positive and queer individuals.

Mavis' Speech At The Prom Explained

One Of The Most Important Moments For Mavis In The Show

The ending of Survival of the Thickest sees Mavis give an epic speech at the inclusive prom event. Her words are aimed at the attendees of the prom but more so at the viewers of the show. The speech tells people who are different that they should expect more for themselves, rather than settle for the bad in the world. It also reminds older individuals that it’s okay to dream and work for something they want. Mavis ends the speech with this statement: “I hope your wildest fantasies become your truest reality because dreaming big—it makes life worth living.”

Actor Michelle Buteau spoke to Decider about this moment, saying, “This is a love letter to [...] the people who feel rejected and not seen, heard, loved, or beautiful. F*ck that. You are f**king beautiful” It's one of the biggest moments for Mavis in the entirety of Survival of the Thickest, where she truly steps into who she is as a woman, and how she can use her platform to help those that feel the way she once did.

The Real Meaning Of The Survival Of The Thickest Ending

Everyone Deserves To Pursue Their Dreams And Love

While Survival of the Thickest often acts as escapist fantasy, the heart of the show has always been incredibly real, as the series set out to explore a character who begins to understand herself and her place in the world, something she never really understood before. The show explores body positivity, queer identity, and self-acceptance, often seen through the lens of a woman of color, something that is incredibly important in the film and TV industry.

By the end of Survival of the Thickest season 1, the show's themes come full circle as everything Mavis went through over the course of the season irrevocably changes her for the better as she decides to push forward with her own love and dreams. Her final speech at the inclusive prom just reinforces the ideas the series has been leading up to through the very end.

How The Survival Of The Thickest Ending Set Up Season 2

Mavis and Luca's Relationship Could Take Center Stage

Survival of the Thickest has many storylines it can use in season 2, that were set up towards the end of the first season. Most notable is Mavis' decision to choose Luca over Jacque, which led to her flying to Italy to see Luca, greeting each other with a kiss. Their blossoming relationship is sure to be explored, as well as the potential fallout from Jacque, who will likely try to win her back again at some point in season 2.

Alongside Mavis' love story, Marley started to explore her identity as a queer woman, and Khalil fought with his girlfriend India about being a part of her child’s life. Survival of the Thickest season 1 did a solid job of exploring Mavis' two best friends, which seems to be a guarantee in season 2, as there is a lot of story left for both Marley and Khalil.

With how Survival of the Thickest ended with Mavis' powerful speech, it would be a disservice to herself if she doesn't give everything she has to her own brand.

Of course, the second season could likely explore Mavis beginning to really build out her own brand, something that came to a head in season 1 when she declined a position with Natasha. The surprise reappearance of Natasha late in the season one finale may show Mavis styling for Natasha again while also building her brand, but with how Survival of the Thickest ended with Mavis' powerful speech, it would be a disservice to herself if she doesn't give everything she has to her own brand.