Melissa McCarthy speaks out about sexism in Hollywood, responds to critic

By Efrosini Costa

Melissa McCarthy speaks out about sexism in Hollywood, responds to critic
Sexism is an 'intense sickness', Melissa McCarthy has said after revealing she hit back at one of her critics.

Melissa McCarthy is Hollywood’s funny girl and she has the accolades to prove it.

Sadly criticism of her recent films has been less about her talent and more about her physical appearance, as seems to be the case with many of Hollywood’s female leads.

“It’s an intense sickness,” McCarthy says of this blatant sexism in Hollywood.

“For someone who has two daughters, I’m wildly aware of how deep that rabbit hole goes. But I just don’t want to start listening to that stuff. I’m trying to take away the double standard of ‘You’re an unattractive bitch because your character was not skipping along in high heels,” she recently mused.

But with the media hype surrounding her latest film Spy, the actress told a reporter that she had a chance to go to the source of such criticism.

According to the comedienne, she hit back at one critic responsible for such hurtful and unfounded comments.

While at the Toronto Film Festival promoting her film St Vincent last Autumn, McCarthy was approached by a reporter who had criticised her appearance in the movie Tammy – which she co-wrote with her husband Ben Falcone.

“Are you the one who wrote I was only a good actor when I looked more attractive and that my husband should never be allowed to direct me because he allowed me to look so homely?” McCarthy said to the reporter.

When he admitted he was the critic in question, McCarthy questioned him: “Would you say that to any guy?”

“When John C. Reilly—or any actor—is playing a character that is depressed and dejected, would you say, ‘Well, you look terrible!’?” she continued.

The comedy queen then went on to ask if the critic had a daughter. He did.

“Watch what you say to her,” she says she warned him.

“Do you tell her she’s only worthwhile or valid when she’s pretty?”

Do you feel McCarthy did the right thing? Should she have confronted the critic or let the comments slide? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login