Melissa McCarthy, a celebrated actress and producer in Hollywood, has been candid about her experiences with weight, body image, and self-acceptance. Her journey offers insights into the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry and the importance of self-love.
Fluctuations and Self-Acceptance
McCarthy has openly discussed her weight fluctuations over the years. She told More magazine in 2013 that she's "been every size in the world," and while parts of her twenties found her in great shape, she still felt the need to be thinner. She has come to a place of self-acceptance, particularly after her 30s. As she shared with PEOPLE in 2023, she realized she was okay with who she was.
She acknowledges that fluctuations are normal and has learned to roll with it. She told Refinery29 in 2016 that she’ll "be up, I’ll be down, probably for the rest of my life."
The Pressure of Fad Diets
McCarthy has been open about her experiences with fad diets, including a doctor-supervised all-liquid diet after landing her role on Gilmore Girls, which led to her losing 70 pounds in four months. However, she doesn't recommend it, saying, "I felt starved and crazy half the time." She now prioritizes a more balanced and sustainable approach to health.
Double Standards in Hollywood
McCarthy has pointed out the double standards in Hollywood regarding discussions about weight. She recalls a time when an interviewer repeatedly pressed her about her "tremendous size," a line of questioning she noted is rarely directed at men. She highlighted the disparity by asking, "When John Goodman was heavier, did anybody ever talk about his girth?"
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Frustrations with the Fashion Industry
McCarthy has been candid about the difficulties she's faced finding designers to dress her for awards shows. In 2014, she told Redbook that she asked five or six high-level designers to create a dress for her for the Oscars, and they all declined. She also spoke out about the limited fashion choices available for some women. "At a certain size, clothes just became tarp with a hole in it," she told The Guardian. "Everything was so mother-of-the-bride. I couldn’t ever put anything on and be like, ‘I love this!’ All I could say was, ‘Well, it’s on and it’s not a garbage bag.’"
Designing Her Own Clothing Line
Frustrated with the lack of options, McCarthy launched her own clothing line, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, in 2015. She aimed to create clothing for women of all sizes, challenging the industry's categorization of "plus-size." She told Refinery29, “Women come in all sizes. Seventy percent of women in the United States are a size 14 or above, and that’s technically ‘plus-size,’ so you’re taking your biggest category of people and telling them, ‘You’re not really worthy.’ I find that very strange." While Melissa McCarthy Seven7 is no longer in production, Melissa is working on a new label, according to WSJ magazine.
Shifting Focus Away from Dieting
McCarthy told Rolling Stone in 2017 that she started worrying about weight as a kid. Looking back at photos from her high school years, she realized she was a size six while participating in activities like cheerleading, sprints, and gymnastics. She gained weight after moving to Los Angeles and joining The Groundlings, attributing it to stopping walking and eating poorly.
She has since shifted her focus away from dieting, stating, "I could eat healthier, I could drink less," but acknowledging that she does what she can.
Modeling Healthy Behaviors for Her Daughters
McCarthy emphasizes the importance of modeling healthy behaviors around food for her children. She told People in 2011 that she and her husband always make a pot of vegetable soup and avoid processed foods. She also allows her daughters to have treats in moderation and never wants them to feel bad about their bodies.
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Embracing Body Positivity
McCarthy is a proponent of body positivity, sharing an empowering message on Instagram in 2016: “We have to stop categorizing and judging women based on their bodies. We are teaching young girls to strive for unattainable perfection instead of feeling healthy and happy in their own skin."
Feeling Categorized by Weight
McCarthy talked with AARP in April 2018 about feeling "put in a box" because of her weight. She finds it "dumb and boring" that no one asks men how they keep their legs in shape, while she has been asked that question. She believes categorizing people by weight, race, or gender is not good for the world.
Finding a Balance
McCarthy lost 50 pounds in 2015 by changing the way she thought about her weight. She told Life & Style that she "truly stopped worrying about it." She also attributed her weight loss to a "super-boring life," including going to bed early. However, she has made it clear that she's not trying to be a certain weight, telling Refinery29 in 2016, "I have [lost weight], but I'll be back again. I'll be up, I'll be down, probably for the rest of my life. The thing is, if that is the most interesting thing about me, I need to go have a lavender farm in Minnesota and give this up. There has to be something more."
Revamping Her Exercise Routine
McCarthy revamped her exercise routine when she got the role in Spy, training with a martial arts instructor. She is also into Piloxing, a mix of Pilates and boxing, which she told ET in 2011 helped her lose 30 pounds over the last year.
Addressing Recent Comments
In April 2024, Melissa posted a picture of herself and choreographer Adam Shankman on IG. Barbra Streisand commented, "Did you take Ozempic?” Melissa posted a reel of herself reading a copy of Barbra: Celebrating an Icon. “The takeaway, Barbra Streisand knows I exist. She reached out to me and she thought I looked good,” the actress said to the camera. “I win the day,” she added.
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Other Celebrities and Their Weight Loss Journeys
Many other celebrities have also shared their weight loss journeys, including:
- Quinton Aaron: Lost 200 pounds by focusing on a keto diet and cutting out processed foods.
- Andy Cohen: Used a GLP-1 medication to address weight and health concerns.
- Jelly Roll: Emphasized that his success was "in spite of" his weight, not because of it.
- Kelly Clarkson: Lost weight by listening to her doctor and taking medication to help break down sugar.
- Oprah Winfrey: Acknowledged using a medically approved prescription for weight management.
- Tyler Baltierra: Focused on eating right and hot yoga for mental and physical well-being.
- Danielle Brooks: Used Mounjaro and worked with a dietician and trainer after her second pregnancy.
- Whitney Way Thore: Emphasized not obsessing over her body and not liking when others do it either.
- Valerie Bertinelli: Stopped weighing herself and focused on her character rather than her size.
- Post Malone: Quit soda and started eating better to be around for his daughter.
- Kelly Osbourne: Lost 85 pounds postpartum through a strict approach to diet and exercise.
- John Goodman: Maintained a 200-pound weight loss through walking and a Mediterranean diet.
- Tammy Slaton: Underwent a significant transformation, focusing on living life and achieving milestones like buckling a seatbelt.
- Brittany Cartwright: Recommitted to a meal plan and focused on maintaining a healthy routine for her son.
- Khloe Kardashian: Made fitness a part of her lifestyle, incorporating intense workouts.
- Shay Mitchell: Recommitted to healthy eating and exercise routines after feeling unmotivated during the pandemic.
- Lexi Reed: Reminded herself that progress is progress, no matter how small, and focused on long-term goals.
- Nicholas Hoult: Trained hard to transform his body, focusing on weights and kettlebells.
- Rebel Wilson: Acknowledged the challenges of stress and its impact on weight.
- Chris Pratt: Committed to intense workouts and a strict diet to prepare for roles.
- Paul Rudd: "Took the Chris Pratt approach to training for an action movie," shared. "Eliminate anything fun for a year and then you can play a hero.”
- Jessie James Decker: Used the South Beach diet to feel more like herself after childbirth.
- Jamie Dornan: Focused on outdoor activities and fitness goals outside of acting.
- Olivia Munn: Focused on gratitude and avoiding self-criticism after giving birth.