Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kirstie Alley regretted revealing bikini body on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006

‘I made some errors in my life,’ actor said in a later interview

Inga Parkel
Wednesday 07 December 2022 16:34 EST
Comments
Kirstie Alley, star of Cheers sitcom, dies aged 71

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kirstie Alley expressed regret for showing off her body in a bikini during a 2006 talk show appearance.

Two years earlier, the actor – who died on Monday (5 December) from cancer at the age of 71 – began her weight loss journey, joining Jenny Craig’s program in 2004 as a spokesperson.

After successfully losing 75 pounds (32 kg) with the program, Alley went on The Oprah Winfrey Show to reveal her new figure.

However, later speaking on Larry King Live in 2010, the Look Who’s Talking star called her bikini appearance “so stupid”.

When asked why she did the reveal, she responded: “Let me tell you something very stupid about myself.

“This is what I said when I did that: no one is allowed to take photographs. And I thought, well, there’s no photographs, so this will be the end. I’ll walk out, I go blah blah blah, and that’s the end of that,” Alley explained.

“All they have to do is take a frame shot,” she acknowledged. “Little did I know that this would be all over YouTube, it’s had millions of hits.”

Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley (Larry King Live/ YouTube screenshot)

The late King further questioned whose idea it was to have her strut around the stage in a two-piece bathing suit.

“Of course it wasn’t Oprah’s idea – she doesn’t have stupid ideas!” Alley replied. “It was my idea. I just thought if I could get myself to come out here in a bikini, then I know that I am liberated. And then I realised, ‘Oh my god! Now I have to live with this, the rest of my life.

“I made some errors in my life,” she added.

Alley was vocal about her struggles with weight and often used her story to empower and inspire others on a similar path.

In one of her final TV appearances in April, Alley sang her heart out on the US version of The Masked Singer, before her third-round elimination.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in