Melissa McCarthy says she has been fat-shamed and called 'grotesque' during interviews

'It happens all the time'

(Getty Images)

Melissa McCarthy has opened up about the body shaming she has experienced throughout her career.

In an interview in InStyle, the 48-year-old comedic actor made reference to two separate occasions when her appearance has been scrutinised by male journalists.

Recalling one particular incident, which took place ahead of the release of Bridesmaids, McCarthy said: “He [the interviewer] kept asking, 'Are you shocked that you actually work in this business at your tremendous size?'

“I just remember all the blood drained out of me. I thought, 'With my tremendous size, I could tackle you so quickly.'"

The actor said she refused to dignify the interviewer with a response and although she did not identify him, she did give a clue, adding that he “later lost his job for a conversation he had on a bus with someone else”.

McCarthy also took the opportunity to point out the double standard between men and women in the entertainment industry.

“It happens all the time, to the point where it’s fascinating because they don’t do it to men,” she said.

“Not to be a jerk or single him out, but when John Goodman was heavier, did anybody ever talk about his girth?”

Discussing a separate occasion, McCarthy revealed a journalist had once referred to her as “grotesque” and “sloppy”.

“I was at a press conference for either The Heat or Tammy, and somebody from a very big organisation kept asking me, 'Why do you always feel the need to be so grotesque?'” she recalled.

“I said, 'What are we talking about? I can't answer your question because I don't understand it.'

“He goes, 'You look sloppy, you're not wearing any makeup, your hair is not done, you're yelling at people.'"

McCarthy said she responded by telling the journalist he needed “to get out more” if he didn’t think women like that existed.

“He goes, ‘Oh, fine, I’m aggressive, call it whatever you want. If you don’t want to answer the questions, you shouldn’t come to the panel.’

“I was like, ‘I really want to answer your questions. I’m sorry I didn’t wear makeup in a part. I’m sorry I didn’t look pleasant for you. But I also don’t think you should be here writing about movies."

In her latest role, McCarthy’s comic skills shine through, starring as journalist Lee Israel in Marielle Heller’s Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Based on a true story, the film follows the rise and fall of Israel’s career as she began forging celebrity letters and selling them to make money after a spate of bad reviews.