'I used to cry about why I wasn't thinner': Melissa McCarthy, 43, reveals she was a 'narcissist' in her twenties but now has a good sense of self worth

By Heather Waugh

Published: 10:31 EST, 25 June 2014 | Updated: 13:54 EST, 25 June 2014

She's one of the most successful comedians in movies these days.

But Melissa McCarthy admits she can still get pretty overwhelmed when it comes to her emotions. The actress told People: 'I'm a crier. So is my my sister, so is my mom. It can be anything: I just get overwhelmed.'

The 43-year-old, who is promoting her new film Tammy, added that she used to obsess about her size as well. 'In my 20s I used to cry about why I wasn't thinner. But I want to add that I also used to cry about things like: "I wish my hair would grow faster. I wish I had different shoes."'

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Cover girl: Melissa McCarthy talks about her former insecurities about her looks in the July 7 issue of People magazine

Cover girl: Melissa McCarthy talks about her former insecurities about her looks in the July 7 issue of People magazine

The Bridesmaid star revealed that she now has a 'good sense of self-worth,' but that she has 'grown into it.'

'In your 20s, you're kind of a wreck, you're still a narcissist, and you probably should be,' she added. 'I was an idiot ... It's a decade of tears.'

Melissa - who appeared on the cover of People with the headline My Journey From Tears To Triumph - said: 'I'll do almost anything for a laugh. I'm completely delighted by people who think, "I don't care what anybody else thinks, I look great in this, and I rock it and I love it." It's such a delightful sort of confidence,' she added, referring to the colorful array of characters she's depicted in her career.

In-demand: Visiting The Late Show With David Letterman in NYC on Tuesday with platform heels and new bangs

In-demand: Visiting The Late Show With David Letterman in NYC on Tuesday with platform heels and new bangs

But she's not totally unaffected when she's the target of negativity.

The actress revealed she's had to deal with some nasty comments, ranging from her acting ability to her size.

'I've never felt like I needed to change,' she says. 'I've always thought, "If you want somebody different, pick somebody else." But sure, criticism can sometimes still get to me. Some things are so malicious, they knock the wind out of you.'

And a recent headline which referred to her as 'America's plus-size sweetheart' did not go unnoticed.

Comedy duo: The 43-year-old, pictured with husband Ben Falcone in February, said of him, 'He's missing the jerk gene. I feel like I got hit with a lucky stick'

Comedy duo: The 43-year-old, pictured with husband Ben Falcone in February, said of him, 'He's missing the jerk gene. I feel like I got hit with a lucky stick'

Funny gal: McCarthy has said that she finds it weird people still talk about her weight considering how much she has achieved as a comedian

Funny gal: McCarthy has said that she finds it weird people still talk about her weight considering how much she has achieved as a comedian

Melissa commented: 'It's like I'm managing to achieve all this success in spite of my affliction ... Would you ever put that in the headline for a male star?'

She also wants daughters, Vivian, aged seven, and Georgie, aged four, to grow up knowing that it's what's on the inside that counts and to not focus all on looks.

And it looks like the little girls are already finding a passion for comedy as they act out funny sketches to the delight of the star and husband Ben Falcone.

Melissa acknowledges her success and how blessed she is to live the life she leads: Ben and I will have moments where we look at each other and go, "This is not bad at all,"' she confessed.

'I feel like I got hit with a lucky stick.'

Tammy, a project written and produced by Melissa and husband Ben, follows the story of a fast food employee (played by McCarthy) who becomes a fugitive after she loses her job and finds her husband cheating; Susan Sarandon plays her grandmother who tags along.

Laughs: Melissa stars alongside Susan Sarandon in comedy Tammy which hits theatres on July 2

Laughs: Melissa stars alongside Susan Sarandon in comedy Tammy which hits theatres on July 2

Mahalo to you: McCarthy pulls out all the stops to star as a woman who loses her job and gets cheated on in her new summer comedy

Mahalo to you: McCarthy pulls out all the stops to star as a woman who loses her job and gets cheated on in her new summer comedy


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Love her just as she is, and very funny too!

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she gets typecast because of her weight.

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God love her , she is an awesome and funny actor :respect:

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I had a good mom who verbally knocked my off my high horse with one quick swoop when I was 20. I think most young adults can be a bit narcissistic in their teens and 20s but still have the capacity to care about others, unlike true narcissists.

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Who is she ?

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I love her also and think she looks beautiful in all her pictures.

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Wouldn't want her any different

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This woman is a major talent, and yes, no one talks.about men's bodies, like we do women.

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she is beautiful inside and out, what a talented actress - LOVE her!!!!!!

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Please don't misuse the word narcissist. It means someone who has no emotions and feeds off the emotions of others. Yes they have self loathing and are selfish but nothing here suggests narcissism. Did she bully others to make herself feel better? I doubt it. She was the victim of bullying no doubt. Victims of narcissists need to be take seriously. Her saying it is one thing, Newspapers misusing the word is another. Look up narcissism because you don't grow out of it. These people destroy others!

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You know i had the same reaction as you did to her use of the word narcissist.

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