From casual selfies to red carpet moments, the 54-year-old often sparks a wide range of reactions with her appearances.

Melissa McCarthy’s latest Instagram post was meant to spotlight an inspiring new musical, but it’s her appearance that’s taken center stage, with fans weighing in on why she looks so different.

The actress shared a series of photos from her visit to Theatre Row in New York City, where she attended

the opening

of “All the World’s a Stage.” Dressed in a stylish pastel green ensemble, McCarthy posed joyfully with the cast.

In the caption, she

praised

the show for its emotional depth, “So excited for everyone to see the incredible cast of All The World’s a Stage!!! The power and the joy of this show is that it makes you laugh, cry and leaves you feeling like you just got the best, most hopeful hug. Opening night tonight- so run over to @keencompany and get your hug 🤗.”

But while McCarthy hoped to draw attention to the musical, most fans couldn’t help but comment on her appearance instead. They dissected a selfie she posted while holding the Playbill for “All the World’s a Stage.”

One fan could hardly believe their eyes,

writing

,

“You look so different.”

Someone else seemed baffled by the transformation,

noting

,

“I don’t know why you look so different with your hair pulled back.”

Another person simply

called

her

“Unrecognizable.”

One fan

addressed

her directly with surprise,

“That doesn’t even look like you anymore, Melissa.”

Someone

voiced

concern over the nature of the post,

“Wow doesnt even look like melissa, can people please stop with these weightloss shots, literally would have had no idea who this was if it wasnt her instagram account [sic].”

Amid the confusion, there was also admiration. One person

cheered

her on with,

“You look amazing 👏 🤩 ❤️.”

This was only one of several times that

Melissa McCarthy

had fans talking. At the 2025 Golden Globes on January 5, she flaunted her figure in a bold pantsuit paired with a dramatic ruffled cape. And

while some netizens praised the look, others called it “ridiculous.”

The tailored design flattered the actress’s figure, while the vibrant pink and flowing details ensured all eyes were on her. She paired the look with a sleek high bun and minimal accessories, letting the dramatic outfit shine.

Framed by a lush backdrop of greenery and white roses, McCarthy’s confident presence added an elegant touch to her show-stopping appearance.

Opinions on McCarthy’s Golden Globes look were divided, with some criticizing her outfit. One detractor bluntly

stated

,

“Ridiculous dress”

while another

shared

,

“She looks amazing. Too bad she didn’t wear something to flatter her new figure.”

A third commenter

added

,

“not [sic] fat shaming in the least but she looks so good and probably feels much better after dropping a bunch of weight.”

On the other hand, many celebrated McCarthy’s transformation and praised her bold look. One admirer

wrote

,

“I didn’t even recognize her,”

while another enthusiastically

commented

,

“You look snatched!!”

Some admired the “Tammy” actress’s

choice of a pink pantsuit

, calling it stunning and noting how well the vibrant color complemented her. Others admired her overall look, noting how

happy and healthy she appeared

.

Many also applauded “The Heat” star’s transformation, expressing

pride in her achievements

and encouraging her to

show off her new figure

.

While McCarthy’s bold Golden Globes look stirred mixed reactions, she embraced the spotlight with confidence.

The “Identity Thief” star has long spoken out against the societal and media obsession with women’s bodies, addressing the ongoing scrutiny of her weight and the double standards in Hollywood.

In a 2016 interview with Refinery29, she reflected on the constant

questions about her weight loss

, explaining that fluctuations are a natural part of life but shouldn’t define a person.

“The thing is, if that is the most interesting thing about me,” she

remarked

, “I need to go have a lavender farm in Minnesota and give this up.”

For McCarthy, women are far more than their appearance, and she has called on society to focus on individuality and accomplishments instead. “There are so many more intriguing things about women than their butt or their this or their that,” she

stated

.

McCarthy also highlighted Hollywood’s double standard by imagining male actors being asked about the shape of their buttocks, calling such questions inappropriate and biased.

Her frustration extended to her

role as a clothing designer

. As the founder of the inclusive fashion line Melissa McCarthy Seven7, she addressed the challenges of breaking industry norms around women’s fashion.

McCarthy

recalled

being told, “I think every time I take a baby step, someone says, ‘We’ve done incredible polling with [plus-size] women, and they actually love the convenience of going upstairs to shop in their own department.'”

She

questioned

this claim, “And I’m like, really? They like being segregated? I bet you get a different answer if you ask a different question. Do they want to be by the tires or do they want to shop with their friends? I know I’d like to go shopping with my friends.”

The Hollywood star’s advocacy extends to helping younger generations build confidence, including her daughters, Vivian and Georgette, whom she shares with her husband, Ben Falcone.

In a 2016 interview with Redbook Magazine, she highlighted how

unattainable beauty standards

damage self-esteem, leaving many girls and women feeling inadequate.

McCarthy urges kids to feel confident in themselves. “My message is that as long as everybody’s healthy, enjoy and embrace whatever body type you have,” she

said

.

Through her journey, she has found peace with herself, crediting her husband, Falcone, for his unwavering support. The couple,

married since 2005

, has built a strong foundation of love and trust.

McCarthy shared in a 2023 interview with People how Falcone’s constant kindness, humor, and encouragement helped her

embrace her individuality

. Her turning point came in her 30s when she

realized

, “I was like ‘I’m okay with who I am.'”

She also acknowledged that not everyone would like her, a tough but valuable lesson that allowed her to focus on staying true to herself rather than seeking approval.

The “Gilmore Girls” actress also encourages others to embrace their true selves, promoting compassion and understanding as a way to foster positivity.

“I mean, isn’t that what love is? Loving who you love just puts more love in the world. And that has never, ever been a bad thing,” she

explained

.

With her inspiring advocacy for self-acceptance and inclusivity, McCarthy continues to make her mark both on and off the red carpet.