It's time to love yourself for who you are! That's the message Melissa McCarthy is spreading these days.
In the April issue of Redbook, the actress-turned-fashion designer opens up about keeping an upbeat outlook when it comes to body image and feeling confident in her own skin.
The 45-year-old actress, who's focused her clothing line, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, on plus-size fashion, wants to help all women realize how equally beautiful they are on the outside and the inside.
"A good portion of women in America are size 14 and higher," McCarthy told Redbook. "I just try to make clothing that'll make all women feel really good."
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When it comes to feeling confident, there's no denying that loving the way you look in your clothes can make a huge difference.
"When I feel good about my clothes, I'm more patient with my kids. I don't beep at the guy in his car texting in front of me. I look at the world a little differently. The small happy moments add up. A little bit of joy goes a long way," said McCarthy.
But beyond trying to make women feel beautiful on the outside, the star has a bigger mission. She also wants women to celebrate their differences and just love themselves for who they are.
"With women, there's this constant weird cultural thing where we're always supposed to be comparing ourselves with one another. Who wore it best? Whose butt's better? Instead, how about if everyone wins? How intensely boring would it be if we were all the same?" said McCarthy.
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In trying to encourage all women, no matter what shape or size, to embrace their differences, McCarthy, a mom to two daughters, strives to send the same message to her children.
"Give me your best punch in the face, and I’ll take that punch, rather than have my kid feel bad about herself," said McCarthy.
To put things into perspective, the actress explained that, "There's an epidemic in our country of girls and women feeling bad about themselves based on what .5 percent of the human race looks like. It starts very young."
McCarthy understands — regardless of what you look like on the outside — that in the end, it's all about being happy and healthy.
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"My message is that as long as everybody’s healthy, enjoy and embrace whatever body type you have," she said.
