Melissa McCarthy is “fascinated” by the fact she is quizzed about her size by journalists all the time when larger male actors aren’t.
In a cover interview with InStyle magazine, the actress, who is nominated for a BAFTA for her dramatic role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, admitted that she can’t figure out why reporters feel it’s acceptable to question her about her weight and appearance when they wouldn’t do so with a male actor.
Recalling an interview she did with a male journalist for 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, Melissa said, “He kept asking, ‘Are you shocked that you actually work in this business at your tremendous size?’ He was like, ‘Oh, your tremendous size, you can actually work?’ I just remember all the blood drained out of me. I thought, ‘With my tremendous size, I could tackle you so quickly.’
“But it happens all the time, to the point where it’s fascinating because they don’t do it to men. Not to be a jerk or single him out, but when John Goodman was heavier, did anybody ever talk about his girth?”
The 48-year-old recalled that the producers of the show apologized and vowed to never use the footage of what he said, but it’s not the only time she has faced questions about her size on a press tour.
She thought back to one press conference for The Heat or Tammy and when one male journalist asked her why she always felt the need to be “so grotesque” in front of 100 other people.
“He goes, ‘You look sloppy, you’re not wearing any makeup, your hair is not done, you’re yelling at people.’ I was like, ‘OK, so have you ever asked this of a guy? I’m playing a character. You need to get out more if you don’t think there are real women like that.'”
After he scolded her failing to answer his question, she added, “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.”
She explained that she didn’t want to get angry and swear at the reporter because then he “would win”.
