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Melissa McCarthy Says Plus-Size Shoppers Are Segregated in Malls: “People Don’t Stop at Size 12”

Melissa McCarthy Says Plus-Size Shoppers Are Segregated in Stores
Melissa McCarthy said in a brand-new interview that plus-size shoppers are segregated in malls: "People don't stop at size 12," the Spy actress noted.

It’s a personal passion project. Melissa McCarthy told More magazine in its June 2015 issue that she’s using her fame to help her fellow plus-size women.

The Spy actress, 44, is launching her own namesake line Melissa McCarthy Seven7, an 80-piece line designed by McCarthy for women ranging from sizes 4 to 28. “People don’t stop at size 12,” McCarthy told the mag. “I feel like there’s a big thing missing where you can’t dress to your mood above a certain number.”

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In fact, McCarthy said shopping is equally stressful for plus-size women. “[Malls] segregate plus-size,” the Mike & Molly star reflected. “It’s an odd thing that you can’t go shopping with your friends because your store is upstairs hidden by the tire section. We’ll put you gals over there because we don’t want to see you and you probably don’t want to be seen.”

The Bridesmaids standout noted that the issue was societal. “There is just this weird thing about how we perceive women in this country,” she said. “I would love to be a part of breaking that down.”

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It’s why she’s added “clothing designer” to her impressive resume. “It’s pretty consuming,” McCarthy mused of her latest role. “My problem is, I don’t hand things off very well. I just figure if it has my name on it and I want to make people feel good about wearing it, I can’t pass it off.”

Melissa MORE Mag cover
Melissa McCarthy on the cover of MORE Magazine.

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McCarthy has always stood by her feminist philosophy. “When I told my daughters there had never been a female president, they were like, ‘What! How is that possible?'” the mother of Vivian, 8, and Georgette, 5, recalled. “I have an overactive sense of justice. I want women to realize you don’t have to work for the company. You can run the company. I want the scope for them to be endless.”

With that said, not all days are picture perfect for the multi-hyphenate. “I have caught my reflection and thought, Oof. That girl is struggling. That girl is tired,” she shared. “I’ve had mornings where I’m like, Oh God, I have weird hair. I look like Fraggle Rock. Why am I so puffy? What did I eat? [But] who cares if my eyes are puffy because I ate 44 almonds last night? Or my legs are short? To my core, I don’t care.”

Melissa McCarthy in MORE Magazine
Melissa McCarthy in MORE Magazine.

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Part of that is simply letting go. “Pre-kids, I’d cook for 50 people. I’d have schedules, time charts,” the notorious perfectionist shared. “Being in my 40s, I can finally relax. I’ve learned that you can order pizza and have your friends over, and it’s just as fun because nobody cares. Nobody wants to be around you if you’ve been up since 3 a.m. brining a chicken. I’ve let go of that quest for perfection.”

Instead, her true beauty has shone through. “I think everybody can relate to Melissa because she’s not intimidating, even though she plays intimidating characters,” Paul Feig, who’s directed the actress in Bridesmaids, The Heat, and the upcoming Ghostbusters reboot, told More. “It’s almost like she’s playing a version of us where we’re like, ‘I wish I could do that!’ She’s a real person. She’s beautiful, but she’s not your standard image of the supermodel-y movie star. Plus, one of the hardest things in the world to find is people who can swear effectively in a way that’s not ugly.”

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