Melissa McCarthy ‘Elle’ Cover Sparks Controversy Over Her Hidden Body

Melissa McCarthy appears on the cover of Elle magazine’s November issue in an ensemble that some feel intentionally tries to hide the comedic actress’ curvy figure.

McCarthy is but one of a half-dozen actresses who are being honored with a spot on the cover of Elle’s annual Women in Hollywood issue. Reese Witherspoon, in her cover photo, stuns in a bodycon Versace cut-out dress.
21-year-old Shailene Woodley, meanwhile, is pictured in just a bathing suit and sneakers. Marion Cotillard wears a purple bra top and Naomie Harris wears a black ab-baring dress.

As for McCarthy, she’s pictured wearing a shapeless and oversized dark green knee-length coat over a dress that ends just above the shin. Her curves are completely hidden under the fabric, and her skin only peeks out on her shins and in her neck region. Furthermore, a third of McCarthy’s face is hidden beneath high-volume windswept hair.

“This year, Elle‘s token plus-size cover girl is McCarthy, who was photographed in a Marina Rinaldi coat so huge that she could hide her Mike and Molly co-star Billy Gardel underneath,” wrote Slate’s June Thomas. “McCarthy’s hair covers a quarter of her gorgeous face, and with her hands stuffed deep into her coat pockets, the only visible flesh is a tiny triangle between the coat’s lapels and the briefest glimpse of calf. Perhaps photographer Thomas Whiteside only knows how to photograph the usual stick insect models, because he clearly has no clue how to highlight McCarthy’s curves.”

In the wake of the backlash, Elle released a statement defending McCarthy’s styling: “On all of our shoots, our stylists work with the stars to choose pieces they feel good in, and this is no different: Melissa loved this look, and is gorgeous on our cover. We are thrilled to honor her as one of our Women in Hollywood this year.”

McCarthy, who previously joked about the ridiculously Photoshopped image of her in the UK poster for The Heat, has yet to comment on the latest photo controversy surrounding her.

– Chelsea Regan

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