Retta’s Weight Loss Struggles Were Made More Bearable By Her Fashion Choices

Marietta Sangai Sirleaf, better known as Retta, is a stand-up comedian and actress from the United States. She is best known for her portrayal of Donna Meagle in the popular American sitcom Parks and Recreation.

While her hilarious jokes, colorful dresses, and sunny personality give the impression that she isn’t worried about anything, the actress has revealed that she used to be self-conscious about her weight.

Retta opens up about her struggles with weight loss and how she overcame them in her honest and humorous memoir, ‘So Close to Being the Sh*t; Y’all Don’t Even Know,’ which was released in 2018.

Quick Facts

Despite her demonstrated ability to lose weight, Retta is content with being plus-sized

Concern about one’s self-image seems unavoidable in Hollywood, where outward appearances are scrutinized to extremes. In an interview with The Curvy Fashionista, the comedian-turned-actress admitted that being a plus-sized actress in Hollywood can be difficult. She realized that losing weight was difficult for her and acknowledged that others overcame more incredible adversities than her.

“Life as a plus-size actress CAN BE DISGUSTING. But, as far as I’m concerned, everyone has their problems,” she explained. “People are overcoming greater adversity than I,” she continued. I am responsible for finding happiness in whatever situation I find myself in.”

Similarly, Retta wrote about her dieting and exercise experiences in her memoir. She recalled a time when she was obsessed with fitness. During that time, she lost 50 pounds and went from a size 28 to a size 18. She does, however, state that she was unhappy. Her weight loss made her realize that she preferred to live an everyday life over becoming skinny.

“You have to be happy in your regular life, or you’re not going to survive the journey toward a goal,” she wrote, sharing her experience. It’s the same with losing weight; you still have to be satisfied.” “Once you do that, the good stuff starts to happen.” You appear more self-assured to the rest of the world.

The 51-year-old actress is currently a size 22 and is content with that. As stated in another blog, she strikes a balance between healthy food choices and eating what she wants. “I’m lactose intolerant, but if you told me I couldn’t have cheese for the rest of my life, I’d slap you in the face.”

Retta felt empowered as a result of her fashion choices.

Retta wrote in her memoir that fashion enabled her to feel at ease with her body size. In her early days, the actress stated that she only wore uniforms of slacks and button-downs because she felt dresses, skirts, or jeans would not look good on her figure. Her perspective shifted after she began attending more red carpet events. She realized that she didn’t have to be skinny to look great.

Looking in the mirror was an emotional experience. I was in love with how my body looked in a dress I chose because I liked it rather than hid me… I finally got a taste of what many women go through when shopping. I wanted more, MORE of that adrenaline rush that comes with getting something perfect and new.

Retta has since become a fashionista, and fans adore her Instagram account, where she frequently posts photos of herself wearing stunning dresses, such as the one below, in which she poses in a floral gown.