( EW.com ) -- It 's hard out there for a plus-sized-and-proud actress like Melissa McCarthy — especially in a world where svelte Jennifer Lawrence considers herself `` obese '' by Hollywood standards . But McCarthy has built a career even the tiniest starlet should envy — one that 's included an Emmy ( and another nomination ) , an Oscar nod , and roles in two $ 100 million-plus-grossing comedies in the past two years . Even so , McCarthy 's weight has made her a target for Photoshop-happy marketing execs , mean-spirited Internet commenters ( that 's right , guys — we see you ! ) , and at least one film critic . The New York Observer 's Rex Reed famously attacked McCarthy in his review of `` Identity Thief '' this past February , calling her `` tractor-sized , '' a `` female hippo , '' and `` a gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success . '' His comments quickly went viral , prompting online rage but no direct response from the comedian herself — until now . The very mention of Reed 's remarks was enough to strip McCarthy of her normally sunny tone , according to a new profile in The New York Times . Her first reaction to the review was pure shock : `` Really ? Why would someone O.K . that ? '' As somebody raising two daughters during a `` strange epidemic of body image and body dysmorphia , '' the article felt particularly stinging to her . But ultimately , the star of the upcoming comedy `` The Heat '' decided that it 's better to take the high road : `` I felt really bad for someone who is swimming in so much hate , '' McCarthy told the Times . `` I just thought , that 's someone who 's in a really bad spot , and I am in such a happy spot . I laugh my head off every day with my husband and my kids who are mooning me and singing me songs . '' The Times writes that McCarthy seemed to have more to say — until she was rudely interrupted by a blaring fire alarm . `` I imagine that 's my publicist , '' she told her interviewer with a laugh . `` The gods did n't want us discussing this . '' Find the full interview here . See the original story at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved .
The plus-sized actress is responding to comments about her weight . She told the New York Times her first reaction was shock . Her new film `` The Heat '' releases soon .