'I was in great shape, but I didn't appreciate it': Melissa McCarthy on how she was once a slimmer size 6 but is happier than ever with her fuller frame



She was forced to defend herself earlier this year when she was labelled a 'female hippo' and described as 'tractor-sized' by a New York Observer film critic in a review of her film Identity Thief.

And as she promotes her new movie The Heat, in which she stars alongside Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy has spoken out about her weight once again.

In a new interview with More magazine for their July/August edition, the Bridesmaids star says that while back in her Twenties she was a smaller size, it didn't necessarily make her any happier.



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Now and then: Melissa McCarthy, seen here left promoting her new movie The Heat on Monday, says she is happy with her fuller size. On the right she is seen in April 2003



'I've been every size in the world. Parts of my twenties, I was in great shape, but I didn't appreciate it,' she explains to the publication.



'If I was a 6 or an 8, I thought, "Why aren't I a 2 or a 4?" Now I feel like I have two great kids and the dreamiest husband on the planet, and everything else is just a work in progress.'

Melissa, who is mother to Vivian, six, and Georgette, three, says once she was in her older years and had her girls, her priorities changed and she stopped worrying about her size.

No more worrying: Melissa, who is mother to Vivian, six, and Georgette, three, says once she was in her older years and had her girls, her priorities changed and she stopped worrying about her size

Standing out: Melissa stood out in a bright red, white and black maxi dress as she left the Live with Kelly and Michael show on Monday



'...at 20 you don't have any responsibilities, so of course you're a shallow narcissist. You can't appreciate anything, you're so self-absorbed,' she says.

'I bought into it -- I should be taller, thinner, have better hair. But I think that's part of being young.

'Now, especially with kids, you lose any sense of time or energy to worry about all the little stuff. It's like the chip was taken out.'

Beaming: The actress beamed as she stopped to sign autographs and pose for pictures



Melissa says she also hit the jackpot snagging her husband of seven years, Ben Falcone.



'I got hit with the lucky stick with Ben,' she says.

Meanwhile, Falcone echoes the sentiment: 'We got hit with the same lucky stick.

Her rock: Melissa posed with her husband Ben Falcone as she promoted her new film The Heat in New York City on Sunday night

New comedy: She also cuddled up to her co-star Sandra Bullock



On the promotional trail: Melissa was also seen at the Good Morning America studios on Monday morning



Wardrobe change: The actress made a third wardrobe change to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman later in the day

'From the very first time we spoke, we were on the same page. We love each other, respect each other and try not to sweat the small stuff. And we really make each other laugh.'

Cover girl: Melissa graces the front cover of More's July/August edition



Melissa says she's pleased that her positive body image has helped other aspiring and working actresses and says she regularly gets fan mail thanking her.

'The letters I really love are from young actresses who were worried they had to fit a certain look,' she says.

'They say I've opened it up. And I don't just mean plus-size girls. You can push things now. With all the great performances in Bridesmaids, it changed how people see funny women.'

Melissa is currently on the promotional trail for her new movie The Heat in which she stars alongside Sandra Bullock.

Sandra stars as FBI special agent Sarah Ashburn paired with Melissa's testy Boston cop Shannon Mullins, in order to bring a ruthless drug lord to justice.

'I did not want to play two dingbats who suck at their jobs,' Melissa says of the film.

