Melissa McCarthy (Brian Bowen Smith/Good Housekeeping)Melissa McCarthy's realistic portrayal of a plus-sized character on TV's "Mike and Mike" has won her a devoted fan following — and an Emmy! — but that doesn't mean the actress is always completely comfortable in her own skin.
In the December issue of Good Housekeeping, the 42-year-old opens up about her ongoing struggle to lose weight. "Sometimes I wish I were just magically a size 6 and I never had to give it a single thought," admits McCarthy, whose hilarious turn in "Bridesmaids" also helped put her on the map. "But I am weirdly healthy, so I don't beat myself up about it — it wouldn't help, and I don't want to pass that on to my girls."
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McCarthy, who has two daughters — Vivian, 5, and Georgette, 2 — with her actor husband Ben Falcone, say she stays active by doing Pilates and playing tennis, but her exercise regime hasn't made her Hollywood skinny. "I don't really know why I'm not thinner than I am," the Illinois native candidly tells the magazine. "I don't really drink soda; I don't have a sweet tooth, and we eat healthfully at home.'
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Although she has some insecurities, McCarthy is realistic and knows she's not the only woman out there struggling with her body image. "Pretty much everyone I know, no matter what size, is trying some system," she says, referring to the seemingly endless list of weight-loss programs on the market. "Even when someone gets to looking like she should be so proud of herself, instead she's like, 'I could be another three pounds less; I could be a little taller and have bigger lips.' Where does it end? … You just have to say, 'It's pretty damn good. I am right here at the moment and I'm OK with it. I've got other things to think about.'"
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For McCarthy, one of the things she has to think about it is booming movie career. In addition to playing sweet and lovable Molly Flynn-Biggs — a fourth-grade teacher who met her now-husband Mike in an Overeaters Anonymous group and constantly struggles with her weight — the actress has a string of films in the works. Next up is Judd Apatow's star-studded "Knocked Up" sequel, "This Is 40," which comes out later this year. In 2013, she'll show off her skillful comic timing again in "Identity Thief" with Jason Bateman and in "The Heat" with Sandra Bullock.
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McCarthy also hasn't given up her plans to launch a plus-size clothing line. During awards show season last year — she was an Academy Award nominee for her role in "Bridesmaids" — she often complained about the lack of fashion-forward choices for fuller-figured females, noting that the options were "either for like a 98-year-old woman or a 14-year-old hooker, and nothing in the middle." So she's starting her own collection — just as soon as she gets a break in between her back-to-back movie schedule. "I've been so busy this past year that I haven't been able to [launch it yet]," she told Entertainment Weekly in September. However, "We're getting closer. … I'm definitely excited!"
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For more of McCarthy's interview, pick up the December issue of Good Housekeeping, on newsstands November 13.
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