Delta Burke recently opened up about the fat-shaming she faced during the height of her career in the ’80s and ’90s. She shared her experiences on the “Glamorous Trash” podcast, revealing that her weight was a major point of criticism both in her personal and professional life. Burke mentioned that the pressure to maintain a thinner figure led her to turn to drugs, which started while studying in London and escalated when she started receiving starring roles in TV shows like “Filthy Rich.” She was ultimately offered crystal meth as a way to control her weight, which she drank in cranberry juice to suppress her appetite.
Despite her efforts to maintain a certain body image, Burke continued to face harsh criticism about her weight from industry professionals and fans. She recalled feeling emotionally fragile and overwhelmed by the negative attention, even experiencing alarming incidents like a fan pulling her coat open to comment on her weight. The toxic conversation around her body image took a toll on her mental health, causing her to struggle with her self-esteem and confidence. Burke shared that at times, she felt the need to shrink away and disappear due to the constant scrutiny and judgment she faced.
Burke admitted that Hollywood’s focus on her weight was damaging to her mental well-being, as she had always envisioned fame as a positive and rewarding experience. Despite the challenges she faced during that time, she expressed that it was all worth it as she met her husband, Gerald McRaney, on the set of “Designing Women.” The couple got married in 1989 after McRaney proposed on their second date. Burke and McRaney’s relationship has remained strong over the years, with Burke crediting her husband for being a source of support and stability during difficult times.
Reflecting on her past struggles with body image and the pressures of the entertainment industry, Burke emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and self-love. She stated that looking back at photos from that time, she now realizes that she was beautiful and should have embraced her natural curves instead of trying to conform to unrealistic standards. Burke’s story sheds light on the damaging effects of fat-shaming and the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-care in the face of external judgment. Despite the challenges she faced, Burke’s resilience and ability to find love and support in her husband serve as a testament to her strength and determination.
