"Cheers" actress Kirstie Alley is a jolly good fellow who refuses to let the critics get to her. Although she has received backlash due to her weight problem, the Hollywood celebrity still confidently talks about her diet and is not afraid to flaunt her curvy figure.
Kirstie Alley was a beloved actress in the NBC sitcom, "Cheers." She replaced Shelley Long as the bar manager, Rebecca Howe, and to fans' relief, portrayed the role brilliantly, consequently earning Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
In 1982, she appeared in her first film, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," and became a cast member of the 80s hit comedy "Summer School." A string of roles in blockbusters followed, including the 1989 comedy film, "Look Who's Talking," where Alley starred with prominent stars like John Travolta and Bruce Willis.
Kirstie Alley appearing in Los Angeles, California in 1986 | Source: Getty Images
The onscreen production grossed $297 million. Following its success, two sequels titled "Look Who's Talking Too" and "Look Who's Talking Now" were released.
Between 1997 to 2000, Alley made her second most successful sitcom appearance in "Veronica's Closet." This time she played Ronnie Chase, a lingerie brand owner. But unlike "Cheers," the series did not run for long. Due to poor ratings, it was canceled. However, the actress bagged a People's Choice Award for her role.
Although the blonde beauty slowed the brakes for some years, she never quit acting. Alley, honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has been active since 1993.
Actress Kirstie Alley and TV personality Maksim Chmerkovskiy on December 3, 2013 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Throughout her career, she has been away twice—between 2007-2012 and 2016-2019. More than once, she attempted to attain an overwhelming status synonymous with her fame from the 80s.
Her 2013 comeback saw her in the "Kirstie" sitcom, but unfortunately, it was out of TV after one season. Other appearances included Ryan Murphy's "Scream Queens" and an episode of "The Goldbergs."
Despite the unsuccessful attempts, Alley has remained a relevant star following her feature as a contestant on 2018's "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Dancing with the Stars," where she claimed second place in the competition.
Kirstie Alley on September 10, 2018 in Borehamwood, England. | Source: Getty Images
Alongside her TV victories, Alley created her "Organic Liaison" business after years of representing Jenny Craig, a weight loss company. In 2009, she sold the company to Jenny Craig and became their celebrity spokesperson.
Despite her years of experience with a weight loss company, the movie star has always struggled with her weight but somehow managed to control it, especially after identifying the reasons.
The actress who confessed to being an ardent food fan who "loved to overindulge" in fattening food revealed she gained weight due to unhealthy eating habits.
Nonetheless, her secret to losing the extra fat was simple; she engaged in rigorous exercises, including yoga, jogging, running, and dancing. Plus, she cut down on her calorie intake. Alley also consulted Jenny Craig, and in the end, she shed about 75 lbs, giving her an admirable bikini body.
But that did not last forever; before appearing on "Dancing With The Stars" in 2011, she gained more weight. However, the dance pro dropped 100 lbs during and after the show. This time, the magic trick was not limited to her organic diet but the intense studio hours.
This was not the first time Alley would commit to keeping a healthy weight. In 2005, she was featured on the showtime series "Fat Actress." Four years later, she signed a contract with A&E, agreeing to share her life experiences on the reality show, including her weight journey.
According to Robert Sharenow, A&E Nonfiction/Alternative Programming Senior VP, she was the perfect star for the show. He stated:
"Kirstie is exactly the kind of star A&E is drawn to./Her personal life has been playing out in the media for years, but this will be the first time she'll be opening up her home to reveal her real life for the cameras."
Months before the contract, she gained 83 lbs but confidently talked about losing it. In her words, "I'm gonna go, 'You know what? Get back on the horse, lose the freakin' weight, and then just move forward!"
Getting Backlash for Her Weight
Gaining and losing weight is nothing new to Alley; through the years, the actress has developed tactics to help her shed some pounds when she feels like it.
Besides making headlines over her eating patterns, the Emmy winner has inspired many with her boldness in the past. In 2006, she flaunted her body in a bikini on Oprah Winfrey's stage after losing a few pounds.
Kirstie Alley on August 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
In 2014, after rejoining a weight loss program to combat her weight gain, the "DWTS" alum noted, "It's so important for women to look the way they want to look and feel the way they want to feel for their own reasons, not because someone's telling them to or because it's fashionable or trendy."
Two years after her take on body positivity, Alley focused on maintaining her weight instead of losing or gaining. She became disciplined and avoided sugary meals, which were her favorite.
Actress Kirstie Alley on August 1, 1983 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In 2017, the Hollywood star was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and it was seemingly impossible to keep a steady weight. The following year, in "The Dan Wootton Interview" podcast, Alley confessed:
"No. I don't think I look good when I'm overweight. ... I know when I'm on the thinner side, I love the way I feel. I have more energy."
Actress Kirstie Alley with children William True and Lillie Price in New York City on March 17, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Amid her weight struggles, she has not been conservative with her views. Alley never sugarcoats her dislikes and is ever ready to post them on social media. Somehow, this has earned her some backlash from trolls who chose to focus on her weight. In 2021, a Twitter user wrote:
"I called Kirstie Alley fat, and now this? My impact
Another not-so-nice comment read, "writing a guest post for trump blog about Kirstie Alley's huge fat [expletives]." While disagreeing with one of her views, a critic tweeted:
"I do very much and I think Kirstie Alley is a fat big mouthed has been POS actress."
Loving to Eat & Showing Her Curves
It never matters how long the trolls keep it coming, Alley has failed to bow, and she is living her life as she pleases. The "Summer School" star also never shies away from speaking about her weight and has claimed to be a "foodie" who eats a lot of brownies before bedtime.
Kirstie Alley in ABC's "The Goldbergs" in 2019 | Source: Getty Images
During an appearance on "Rachael Ray Show," the actress humorously addressed her lack of discipline with food. She shared:
"My biggest food vice is portion control over holidays. For me, the holidays last from Halloween through my birthday which is January 12. I usually weigh everyday, but during that period, I weigh never."
Besides making headlines over her eating patterns, the Emmy winner has inspired many with her boldness in the past. In 2004, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the actress talked about how a paparazzi photo gave her a wake-up call after it made her face her weight problem.
Kirstie Alley visits the SiriusXM Studios on January 6, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Two years later, after working with Jenny Craig and losing 75 lbs— a goal she set for herself, she made a statement with her new body on screen. This time, the "Cheers" star flaunted her trimmed figure in a fox red bikini on Winfrey's stage.
The actress strutted confidently in her two-piece bikini, a matching veil held firmly around her waist, and low-heel shoes. The studio audience watched as her blonde hair framed one side of her face and still rested on her shoulders, covering up some skin.
Kirstie Alley on August 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
But the most eye-catching moment was Alley showing off her infectious smile while swaying her hips from side to side, proving that she did it!
Even though Alley has been conscious about her body and diet, her unstable weight did not drive her to depression. Instead, the actress's story is one of hope, truth, and what discipline can achieve.
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