Social media reacts to Melissa McCarthy on cover of ‘ELLE’

ABOVE: THE MORNING SHOW LOOKS AT THE FUSS OVER THE ELLE COVER

TORONTO — An image of Melissa McCarthy wrapped in a Marina Rinaldi coat on the front of Elle has some people accusing the magazine of a fat-shaming cover-up.

The 43-year-old Mike & Molly star is one of several actresses gracing different covers of the November issue of the fashion magazine, which pays tribute to “The Women in Hollywood.”

But while Reese Witherspoon dons a body-hugging Versace dress and Shailene Woodley sports a swimsuit, full-figured McCarthy is covered up by the baggy charcoal-coloured coat.

Huffington Post fumed: “They did the actress and other curvy women of the world no favours by hiding her figure.”

Slate culture critic June Thomas complained: “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.”

McCarthy, though, reportedly “loves the cover” and said the experience was “kind of amazing.”

Elle agreed. “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,” the magazine said in a statement.

On Twitter, the shot of McCarthy on the cover of Elle is largely being praised.

“Critics get a life! Elle Magazine makes Melissa McCarthy look great & people complain,” tweeted Kristi Stone Hamrick. “Crisis? NO!”

Yamari Lesca tweeted: “People overreacting negatively to Melissa McCarthy on the cover of #Elle need to stop. She looks more gorgeous and fierce than ever.”

Wrote Andy Guinigundo: “Shameful not the word. How bout #beautiful #elle I love it.”

“Melissa McCarthy is a GAWDESS on the cover,” tweeted Ren Flanders. “She’s confident, and STUNNING.”

“@ELLEmagazine cover Melissa McCarthy looks amazing,” said Robert Vetica. George Gehring tweeted: “Love the @ELLEmagazine cover with Melissa McCarthy — beautiful with or without the coat! #gorgeous.”

AMP Radio Calgary opined: “Don’t get the controversy … So what if Melissa McCarthy is more covered up?”

“I love Melissa McCarthy’s cover on ELLE,” said Karen Evans. “She looks fantastic!!!!”

Tweeted Kimberly Frederick: “People get over the coat and look at how beautiful she looks! Let her have her moment.”

Courtney Brunelle agreed the fuss is too much. “The @ELLEmagazine cover of Melissa McCarthy shows a smart, funny, successful woman. So of course, let’s discuss her figure. #societyfail.”

Share your opinion: