Calista Flockhart, 59, reveals she thought 'painful' anorexia rumors while starring on Ally McBeal would 'ruin her career' at the time

Calista Flockhart has gotten candid while addressing past anorexia rumors that surrounded her while starring on the hit series, All McBeal.

The Golden Globe winner, 59 – who recently flaunted her chic sense of style at Good Morning America – talked about how the speculation had affected her at the time during an interview with The New York Times on Friday.

The star told the outlet, ‘I was an easy target, I guess. It was painful, it was complicated. I loved working on Ally McBeal, and it just made it sour.’

‘I was very sleep-deprived and I was depressed about it. I did think that it was going to ruin my career,’ Flockhart admitted.

‘I didn’t think anybody would ever hire me again, because they would just assume I had anorexia, and that would be the end of that.’

Calista Flockhart, 59, has gotten candid while addressing past anorexia rumors that surrounded her while starring on the hit series, All McBeal; seen earlier this month in NYC

Calista Flockhart, 59, has gotten candid while addressing past anorexia rumors that surrounded her while starring on the hit series, All McBeal; seen earlier this month in NYC

The Golden Globe winner talked about how the speculation had affected her at the time during an interview with The New York Times on Friday; seen in 1997

The Golden Globe winner talked about how the speculation had affected her at the time during an interview with The New York Times on Friday; seen in 1997

Calista further recalled, ‘I had days where I was really hurt and embarrassed and infuriated. I was lucky that I had to work.’

She explained that she chose to brush off the rumors and stay positive. ‘I just put my head down. I always felt like, “Calista, you’re a good person, you’re not mean to anybody,” and I’m confident in that.’

The actress also explained to the publication that she felt the past situation would not occur in the present time.

‘They call it body-shaming now. I haven’t thought about it in a long time, but it’s really not OK to accuse someone of having a disease that a lot of people struggle with.’

Flockhart added, ‘I look back at pictures, and I’m the same then as I am now, and nobody says a word now.’

She also explained that when it comes to her own height of about 5’5″, her weight has always been at a healthy point.

Calista then stated, ‘My mom is 4-11 now, and she weighed 93 pounds when she was married. Talk about a little tiny elf. I just have small bones, and I just am lucky.’

In the past, the actress had addressed comments about her weight, including an interview with People when she was working on Ally McBeal back in 1998.

The star told the outlet, 'I was an easy target, I guess. It was painful, it was complicated. I loved working on Ally McBeal, and it just made it sour'; seen earlier this month in New York

The star told the outlet, ‘I was an easy target, I guess. It was painful, it was complicated. I loved working on Ally McBeal, and it just made it sour’; seen earlier this month in New York

'I was very sleep-deprived and I was depressed about it. I did think that it was going to ruin my career,' Flockhart admitted; seen in 1999

‘I was very sleep-deprived and I was depressed about it. I did think that it was going to ruin my career,’ Flockhart admitted; seen in 1999

'I didn't think anybody would ever hire me again, because they would just assume I had anorexia, and that would be the end of that,' Flockhart explained; seen in 1997

‘I didn’t think anybody would ever hire me again, because they would just assume I had anorexia, and that would be the end of that,’ Flockhart explained; seen in 1997

‘I guess I don’t know the exact definition of anorexia,’ she had told the publication at the time.

‘But I eat. I eat normally. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I don’t have a messed-up relationship with food…Am I anorexic? I guess my answer would have to be no.’

She also explained that she had been focusing on a healthier diet which cut out junk food, and due to longer work days, the star hadn’t been committed to her usual workout routine.

‘In the process I think my body has changed from being muscular to softer. I’m not saying people aren’t seeing what they’re seeing.’

‘If I did, it would indicate I’m nuts. I’m just saying it’s normal weight fluctuation. I don’t look in the mirror that often, but when I do, I have to say, no, I don’t think of myself as too thin,’ Calista expressed.

Flockhart took on the titular role in the critically acclaimed, legal comedy drama from 1997 through 2002.

The hit show notably garnered both Golden Globe and Emmy awards during its time on the air. Back in 2022, it was announced that a reboot for Ally McBeal is also in the works.

Calista – who is currently married to fellow actor Harrison Ford – has been keeping busy in the industry, with her most recent project being Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.



She explained that she chose to brush off the rumors and stay positive. ‘I just put my head down. I always felt like, “Calista, you’re a good person, you’re not mean to anybody,” and I’m confident in that’; seen in 2001

The FX/Hulu limited series is slated to premiere later this month on January 31, and also stars Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald as well as Tom Hollander.

The official premise follows: ‘Acclaimed writer Truman Capote (Tom Hollander) surrounded himself with a coterie of society’s most elite women – rich, glamorous socialites who defined a bygone era of high society New York – whom he nicknamed “the swans.”

‘Enchanted and captivated by these doyennes, Capote ingratiated himself into their lives, befriending them and becoming their confidante, only to ultimately betray them by writing a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets…’

The show is based on the book titled, Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Er, which was written by Laurence Leamer.

Flockhart portrayed the role of Lee Radziwill, who was the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy, and opened up about portraying her while on Good Morning America earlier this week.

‘She was a pretty amazing woman. She was a New York socialite. She was at the top of her game. She was a fashion icon. She was rich. She was a princess. She was bred to marry well, and marry the right man, marry a rich man.’

In the past, the actress had addressed comments about her weight, including an interview with People when she was working on Ally McBeal back in 1998

In the past, the actress had addressed comments about her weight, including an interview with People when she was working on Ally McBeal back in 1998

'If I did, it would indicate I'm nuts. I'm just saying it's normal weight fluctuation. I don't look in the mirror that often, but when I do, I have to say, no, I don't think of myself as too thin,' Calista expressed; seen in 2001

‘If I did, it would indicate I’m nuts. I’m just saying it’s normal weight fluctuation. I don’t look in the mirror that often, but when I do, I have to say, no, I don’t think of myself as too thin,’ Calista expressed; seen in 2001

Calista added, ‘I think she lived in the shadow of her sister, and so she was a woman who was in search of her own identity for a lot of life, which she found in various ways. She was intelligent.’

And earlier this month, the star notably attended the Critics Choice Awards with her husband, Harrison Ford – was the recipient of the Career Achievement award.

While tearfully accepting the award on stage, Harrison also paid a loving tribute to Calista – whom he tied the knot with in 2010.

‘I’d like to thank my lovely wife,’ he emotionally stated. ‘She supports me when I need a lot of support and I need a lot of support.’

The star also added, ‘I’m really happy to be here tonight to see what our business is turning into and all of the talented people that are getting opportunities that probably would not have existed in the early part of my career.’

While tearfully accepting the award on stage, Harrison also paid a loving tribute to Calista - whom he tied the knot with in 2010; seen earlier this month in Santa Monica

While tearfully accepting the award on stage, Harrison also paid a loving tribute to Calista – whom he tied the knot with in 2010; seen earlier this month in Santa Monica

‘I’m very happy about that. I’m here because of a combination of luck and the work of wonderful directors, writers, film makers.

I feel enormously lucky. I’m happy for this honor and appreciate it very much. I’m grateful for all of the fine actors that I have worked with.’

Ford concluded the speech with, ‘I’m deeply happy to have had the opportunities that I have had and I’m grateful. Thank you. I won’t take any more of your time. Thank you.’

And while at the premiere of Feud: Capote vs The Swans on Tuesday, she responded to her husband’s sweet speech while talking to People. ‘He supports me a lot. It’s a mutual thing.’

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