5 reasons why Melissa McCarthy wins at life, from bargain hunting to body positivity
Melissa McCarthy is the embodiment of living life the way you want, from her attitude about weight loss to her views on older women as sexual beings.
How much do we love you, Melissa McCarthy? Let us count the ways, from your attitude about your weight (you’re the queen of mocking celebrity weight loss obsessions) to your views on those nasty online trolls (you pity the fools).
We first became enchanted by Melissa McCarthy as Sookie St. James on Gilmore Girls. McCarthy soared to success from there, whether winning an Emmy Award on Mike & Molly or a Golden Globe Award for Spy. But even beyond Melissa’s professional power, we’ve come to admire the Ghostbusters star for the way that she goes through life confidently and usually with a smile.
1. Melissa McCarthy jokes about rather than hide her love for 99 cent stores.
Hollywood is known for women who flaunt their designer handbags and boast about their personal relationships with top fashionistas (“Oh this little frock? Glendella made it for me.”). And then into the midst strides Melissa, who recently was captured in a widely circulated photo at a 99-cent store. McCarthy, when asked about her fondness for discounts, made no effort to cover up her bargain-store-bliss.
“I love me a 99-cent store,” said the Bridesmaids star.
2. She wants to portray older women who really are the life of the party (yes, including in bed).
Talking with the Los Angeles Times about her new film, Life Of The Party, Melissa emphasized her goal of showing women who dare to enjoy sex over (wait for it…) age 20. McCarthy pointed out that for years, it has “been a strange movie device of, ‘Ugh, nobody wants to see anything unless you’re 20.'” In contrast, the actress feels that to limit sex scenes to younger women is ignoring the majority of her audience.
“I think it’s just silly not to show the world as it is,” summed up Melissa.
3. Dear online trolls, Melissa McCarthy loves you.
Celebrities of all ages and sizes seem to attract online trolls. McCarthy has had more than her share of them, whether the trolls are attacking her weight or her film choice. But this Saturday Night Live host, whose portrayal of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer goes into the SNL Hall Of Fame, has the perfect response for them, reported People.
"Weirdly, instead of getting mad at [online trolls], I always feel like, ‘Oh, I hope you meet someone soon that you can talk to, someone that really makes you laugh.’ I just root for that person to find a little joy."
4. Attention, women: Stop apologizing.
McCarthy wants women to understand that they should stop apologizing. Whether it’s asking for equal pay or equal billing, this feminist role model told Refinery 29 that “women should not apologize for getting in there and taking what they want.”
However, Melissa also takes pride in working with her husband, Ben Falcone. He’s often behind the cameras, directing her in films such as Tammy. As her relationship shows, women can have it all — and they deserve to.
5. Melissa McCarthy lost 75 pounds but says it’s “dumb” to focus on her weight loss.
Celebrity weight loss success stories continue to make headlines. Although Melissa can’t escape the headline writers, she wishes that the spotlight on her 75-pound weight loss would vanish. Calling the focus on her size “dumb and boring,” McCarthy pointed out that men don’t get questioned about how they keep their legs in shape.
And for those who wonder what the 47-year-old celebrity mom of two will be like in the future, we’ll let her have the final words.
“The older you are, the more interesting you are as a character.”