'Fat Actress' Shows Off New Bikini-Ready Body

[matcom]

:popcorn:



<snip>

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Kirstie Alley -- who was once the "Fat Actress" -- donned a bikini to show off her new shape on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," fulfilling a pledge she made about a year ago.

Winfrey said Alley, who is 5-foot-8, has lost 75 pounds, after hitting a high of 220 pounds. Her weight gain was documented in various unflattering paparazzi photos.

To the sounds of the Commodores' "Brick House," Alley, 55, strutted onto the stage in a maroon bikini on Monday's show.

Wearing a dress for an interview, Alley said she never would have had the courage to wear a bikini onstage when she was 30, despite being slender.

"I think women -- I don't think we ever feel like we're good enough. We don't feel like we're thin enough or pretty enough or smart enough or work hard enough. And we are good enough," she said.

"The bikini thing is neither here nor there, other than the fact, you know, I am 55 years old. So I thought -- come on, we are all good enough. And we look good enough. And we are not our bodies."

Alley, a spokeswoman for the Jenny Craig diet program, starred on Showtime's reality-comedy series "Fat Actress." Her TV credits also include "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet."

She joked about the "stripper hose" she bought to flatter her legs -- and how she had initially wanted to wear them up to her neck.

Alley said she's learned how to make smart choices when dining out. For exercise, she dances and works out with a personal trainer. She's also quit smoking.

"We can decide to change anything -- at any age," Alley said. "What I hope for all women is they feel good about themselves, they look the way they want to look."

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/06/people.kirstiealley.ap/index.html

[xchrom]

1. i love kirstie alley!

she is so cool.

[PrimeRibGuy]

2. I just threw up in my mouth

I am sorry, she does not have the body to be in a bikini on TV. Much like I do not!!

[distantearlywarning]

3. Once upon a time

Women were considered to be attractive when they looked like women rather than teenage boys.

I think she looks pretty great myself. No, she's not a size 2 waif, but she's not exactly bulging out everywhere either. I know a lot of guys who would hit that in a nanosecond.

And I'm proud of her for losing that weight, no matter what she looks like.

[Bridget Burke]

6. Rubens might have considered her a bit skinny....

But Lara Flynn Boyle would have sent him screaming from the room.


Good for Kirsty! (And I believe Lara has pulled back from the edge.)

[datasuspect]

11. boy you better hope the self-righteous indignation psycho squad doesn't see this

but i agree with you.

[Crazy Dave]

19. She's pretty, she's funny and....

...yes, I would definitely "hit that in a nanosecond" :9

[jobycom]

5. She wasn't trying to turn you on

She was making a statement about image, and about what a person can achieve. Losing 75 pounds is quite an achievement, especially past 50. Her message wasn't "Hey, studs, look at your hot momma," it was more "Hey, people, look what you can accomplish, and by the way, you shouldn't be ashamed of how you look."

Nice message. I didn't like her too much when she was younger. She's gotten much cooler.

[LynneSin]

20. So I'm guessing this is a better body for a Bikini

Kirstie looks great. Too bad we have some dumbasses here at DU

[Montauk6]

21. That's either Nicole Richie or a promo shot from Schindler's List... SCARY!

[anarch]

26. good grief, why is Keith Richards wearing that?

It's entirely unflattering.

[Divameow77]

23. I doubt she would wear a bikini to the beach

but she was trying to make a statement on Oprah and good for her, she looks great and she lost her weight through hard work (not lipo like a certain 12 year old).

From the sound of your screen name I highly doubt anyone wants to see you on TV in a swimsuit!

[Left Is Write]

27. I think that means you missed her point.

[gr8dane_daddy]

4. Wow...

I'm one of those who believe nobody wants a bone but a dog...

[bleedingheart]

7. she looks good..

I say kudos to her!!!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

8. She looks great. Good for her

[MrScorpio]

9. She's got curves, not bad

She did just fine

[av8rdave]

10. I think she looks good

And good on her for being proud of her looks!

[mainegreen]

12. Meh, she's still a whacked $cientologi$t.

I wonder if she lost weight from clearing all those Xenus off her waist.

[LostinVA]

13. She looks fine -- but I just can't like her for some reason

Never could.

[xmas74]

14. Same here.

She looks great-not too thin, trying to tone up.

I just don't like her and haven't for years.

[LostinVA]

15. Really grating to me

Did you get to see TAR Sunday? WE CRIED at the end!

[xmas74]

16. I loved TAR!

And they were so sweet. At first I didn't know what to think of them but...WOW!

Those are the kind of contestants you want to see. Sure, they wanted to win a million dollars but they took away so much more.

[LostinVA]

17. Read this, from Kristin eonline:

From Janet: David and Mary were eliminated from The Amazing Race. Sad!
I talked to them this morning, and they were actually in great spirits. They’re in New York this week to promote the show, and Rosie O’Donnell has just invited them and their kids on her family cruise, along with the Chos, Tom and Terry, and Duke and Lauren! They’re very excited. Also, you’ll be happy to hear that they truly did make great friends on the race. Mary said Erwin and Godwin are her second and third husbands. She talks to them on the phone every night! They also talk to Tom and Terry every week and even took their kids to Alabama to hang out with Lyn and Karlyn! How great is that?"


Duke and Lauren were the Father-Daughter team... he semi-disowned her when she came out to him a few years ago. They were great -- but they had the bad luck of getting an "evil fern" who gave them wrong directions.

We though David and Mary were gonna be Freepers... but we fell in love with them. Great people! And so willing to learn and know people different form them. Smart people who just need a break.

Per my sister who saw them on TV yesterday: Mary has gotten some dental work. I was hoping someone would do that for here!

[xmas74]

18. I thought they'd be of a Freeper mentality too.

Turns out they've never been exposed to anything.

I think that's wonderful that Rosie has invited them for one of her family cruises! They need something nice in their lives.

And Mary getting dental work-she deserves it.

[crim son]

22. We aren't all perfectly proportioned, that's for sure.

But I admire her confidence. You wouldn't catch me in a bikini... that's a sight not seen since I was sixteen.

[underpants]

24. She has NOT quit smoking

SMOKIN'!!!!

[Haole Girl]

25. She looked good, especially considering she is 55 years old.

I could only watch a little bit of it. I don't know why, but I have to take Kirstie Alley in small doses...I think it's something about her voice. :eyes:

[Brewman_Jax]

28. She's showing what can be done

Having over-weight relatives, I know for a fact they don't like it. They've learned to like themselves, mostly, and to take care and lose the weight over time. They didn't get heavy overnight, they aren't going to get thin overnight. My parents require regular visits and assistance (I'm glad that I don't have kids, taking care of parents is plenty.) My mother is asthmatic and has to use the steroid inhalers, which aren't good for the female body--and really bad on hers. After a near-deadly bout of pneumonia a couple of years ago, she has to use a cane or walker. Just getting to the nearby senior center for senior citizens' exercise sessions is all she has the energy for. She'll never be that size. My brother just got lazy and didn't take care of himself. He's working on losing the weight. My freeper dad lost the weight due to the stress of hip replacement surgery and follow-on physical therapy. He can't walk far without the cane and doesn't have nearly the strength he once had. He's bent like an old man.

Kirstie is showing that getting the weight off is a journey, not simply a destination.

Take care of yourselves while you're young and strong, 'cause being old and sick sucks. :(