Gabby Petito's Dad Combats 'Missing White Woman Syndrome' with TV Series Focused on Marginalized Communities

The Petito & Schmidt Families Joe Petitobecame upset when he first heard the term “Missing White Woman Syndrome.” “When I first heard Missing White Woman Syndrome, I didn’t like the phrase and I didn’t know anything about it, to be honest,” Joe tells PEOPLE in an interview. However, Joe quickly realized that it was “a real thing," he says. “You start looking at stories that go mainstream, and they always seem to look the same — and that needs to change,” he says.

Gabourey Sidibe and Husband Brandon Frankel Celebrate Their First Christmas with Baby Twins in Sweet Video Montage

Gabourey SidibeandBrandon Frankelenjoyed their first Christmas as parents, sharing a sweet video from their celebration. On Thursday, Dec. 26, the actress, 41, posted an adorablevideo montagewith her husband and their 8-month-old twinsCooper and Maya, as the family of four celebrated their first Christmas together. In the sweet clips, the “Sidibabies” can be seen playing with their new toys — and the boxes they came in — while matching with their parents in blue tie-dye pajamas.

Gabourey Sidibe Reacts to Her Husband Clapping Back at Fans for Her, Jokes ‘He’ll Beef with His Grandma About Me’ (Exclusive)

Gabourey Sidibeis grateful for her husbandBrandon Frankel’sprotective nature. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at theESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awardsin Los Angeles on Feb. 27, thePreciousactress, 41, praised Frankel for sticking up for her on social media and offline. When told that he appears not to “play about” her, Sidibe replied, “he don’t, and I deserve every bit of it, okay. Come down here right now. If you step on my dress, he will be here.

Gabourey Sidibe Says Her 10-Month-Old Daughter Is 'Low-Key Shady’ as She Jokes About Her Baby Twins’ Personalities (Exclusive)

Gabourey Sidibe.Photo:Robin L Marshall/Getty Robin L Marshall/Getty The actress, 41, caught up with PEOPLE at the 18th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards and opened up about her adorable 10-month-old twins Maya and Cooper, who she shares with husbandBrandon Frankel. As she spoke about their blossoming personalities, Sidibe said that her daughter is already a little “shady.” “They’re 10 months old, and let me tell you, my daughter is low-key shady.

Gabourey Sidibe Shares Plans for Her Twins’ First Birthday — and Why They Won’t Be Having Cake (Exclusive)

Brandon Frankel/Instagram Gabourey Sidibe’s twins are growing up fast! While speaking with PEOPLE atEssence’sBlack Women In Hollywood Awards, thePreciousactress, 41, gave an update on her 10-month-old twins,son Cooper and daughter Maya. Sidibe, who is preparing to soon celebrate her children’s first birthday with her husbandBrandon Frankel, shares the couple’s plans for the twins' big day. “Them babies don’t know what’s going on, nothing. They don’t know nothing ‘bout nothing,” Sidibe tells PEOPLE.