This post is part of a series on celebrity spokespeople who ended up doing serious harm to the brands they were hired to promote, or vice versa. See how we rank the 20 top spokesperson fiascos.
Okay, to begin with, I should be completely honest: I'm a definite Kirstie Alley fan. I've watched her since the beginning, since she walked into Shelly Long's shoes on Cheers and took the show to a whole other level. I watched as she began to mature gracefully in Summer School and the Look Who's Talking movies, and even stayed with Veronica's Closet for way longer than I should have. Over the years, I watched her bloom, blossom, expand her horizons, umm...
Okay, yes, I also watched her gain a lot of weight. Somewhere between the overripe evil of Gladys Leeman in Drop Dead Gorgeous and the impressive avoirdupois of Fat Actress, Kirstie Alley definitely put on some serious pounds. When they started shooting her in low light with dark clothes, I had my suspicions; when Fat Actress debuted, there was no longer any doubt.
Still, I was rooting for Kirstie, and I was happy when she got a gig working for Jenny Craig (a division of Nestle, VTX:NESN). While I'm not sure that weight loss is for everyone, I have no doubt that, for Kirstie Alley, it meant the difference between being gainfully employed and using her royalties from syndicated TV shows to buy herself an island and a bunch of muumuus. I hoped that the marriage between Kirstie and Jennie would thrive and be, if not fruitful, at least healthy.
Then the hammer fell, as Jenny Craig decided to let her go. Given her still-voluptuous dimensions during the Oprah show, some sources, including the National Enquirer, assumed that she had been fired for gaining weight. Jenny Craig spokesman Scott Parker was vague about the reasons for her departure, but was quick to note that Kirstie was still using the company's maintenance program.
Another possible reason for Alley's dismissal might have been her association with the Church of Scientology, which has its own detoxification and weight-loss plan. However, regardless of whether Alley left because she was gaining weight or because L. Ron Hubbard told her the secret to slimming down, she was still out the door.
Her replacement? Plus-size diva and former Pizza Hut pitchwoman Queen Latifah, who has pledged to lose 5-10% of her body weight. As long as she stays away from the Scientologists and the stuffed crusts, this should be a match made in heaven!
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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 5)
7-19-2008 @ 1:54PM
NY bravest FDNY said...
Sandra said...
Not everyone have similar metabolisms. Genetics also play a part in our structural make up
-------
Thats a cop out, your structure isnt whats hanging over your belt. Everyone does have different metabolisms, and some have it easy and can eat 24/7. Some don't and have to work hard and do, I have NO metabolism and have worked my azz off 5 outa 7 days for 30 years to stay in shape. Most of my family is fat and used your excuse, they called it big boned. I'm 6'1 215lbs and my twin brother is 375lbs, he tried the genetics act for a while but he was just lazy and bought the whole big boned thing.. Hes hangin on by a thread in the CCU because of a massive heart attack at 43, he never smoked and doesnt drink.
7-19-2008 @ 2:02PM
grffthdegg said...
well as u know its always a reason behind most habits.and thats eatting al so.
7-19-2008 @ 2:05PM
MB said...
Roll her in flour and look for the wet spot !
Hey, fat broads need it too !
7-19-2008 @ 3:30PM
rememberwhoyouare said...
Please stop. Don't we have other things to do than call a woman names. She lost weight just like she was supposed to. She is just a human who happened to act and gain weight and get a job losing it and now it is over. Fat or thin, substance is within. Health is important, but spiritual health is the most important. She seems to be more spiritually healthy than many. Change the subject.
7-19-2008 @ 4:44PM
Joerides said...
I remember when she was hot! And said she came out to Hollywood on the back of a Harley. Well, she sure ain't gettin on any bike now, she'll blow the tires out, and everytime you try and take off, you're gonna do a wheelie from all that baggage on back...I got a sticker on my bike with the outline of a fat broad with a red circle cand a line thru it...NO FAT CHICKS I put a bunch of weight on after I had a M/C crash, and couldn't get around. Then, I took it off just by gettin a new dog and takin her for a 4 mile walk every day. That's all, get up off the sofa, and change your metabolism! I'm gettin older, I have lots of pain, and it's tough to keep it off, but ya gotta keep walkin, that's all, no fancy diets or personal trainers. Just spend 45 minutes a day walking, like they do in Europe, they don't hop in the car to go around the block, they walk, and the women look great! Rosie could lose 150 lbs, and she would still be a slob, just cause she's a mean spirited liar bitch!
7-21-2008 @ 12:01PM
Ann said...
Kirstie Alley did not deal with her depression that caused the initial weight gain, so an artificial weight loss was destined for failure. HOWEVER, if this has to do with scientology she is screwed. Poor b!tch! I always liked her, she is hilarious.
American Idol Hopefuls
http://www.tinyurl.com/66fvyn
7-22-2008 @ 4:43AM
yvonne Starr said...
i never do this blogging thing.. but kirsty i love you and have always thought you were a very stunning beauty. You have a very uniqness about you that is charming ..........always thought you were a great adtress..........I have always had weight struggles. adn i know what you are going through although I'm sure it's even worse for you because of your celebrity............I hope you will continue to work and show your talent whatever weight you happen to be at the time.. you will get a handle on it, I think I finally have just by eating healthy...........I am 68 years old, so you know I ahve beeen struggling for a long long time. but if i can do itt, you can... focus on healthy and the weight will come off and you willg et a boost to your self esteem
7-22-2008 @ 7:02AM
hank57chev711 said...
THE LAST TIME I SAW THE REFRIGERATOR SHE WAS LOOKING DAM GOOD
7-22-2008 @ 8:11AM
whocares said...
If you cant remain thin then why promote the product? She looks like hell and should try something else, maybe dropping the feed bag for a class??? In the same sense women should think b4 they commit to a strict guideline like promoting something they have no drive to achieve. God bless her, it's about happiness not being thin....
7-22-2008 @ 3:36PM
nancy said...
KRISTIE ALLEY IS DISCUSTING!!!! FAT PIG!!!! HOW DARE SHE WITH ALL THAT MONEY! NOT TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF!!!! I DONT CARE HOW HAPPY OR UNHAPPY SHE IS!!! IF I WERE A MAN OR WOMEN I WOULD NOT EVER DATE HER,SHE IS CRAZY!!!! I FELL SORRY FOR HER KIDS!!! SHAME ON HER!!
7-22-2008 @ 5:42PM
moinks said...
Next to the word egomaniac in Webster's is a picture of Kirstie, but now the truth is out and nobody wants to work with her, or her managers, not even Jenny Craig. I've always thought she was extremely lucky to have gotten this far, I mean she's not really leading lady beauty, more like a fat Rosanne Barr. Obnoxious-pushy and fat, the bottom line.
7-22-2008 @ 5:50PM
steffie said...
try postive ..
aviod of sweet any of food/drink..
drink of water lot make full stomach better than
nothing..
can eat any foods and drink look low % aviod of over 2,500 %..
aviod of resturants due very high % ..
walk shopping or hiking or swimming keep away from eat lot..think postive ..
i pray for her ..
7-22-2008 @ 6:51PM
red said...
hey kristy how about trying JESUS , he is the only way.
10-01-2008 @ 5:18PM
Peter said...
Hell, I'd do her! I loved it when she thanked her ex on TV during an award show for giving her the "big one".
She's got a lot of class to go with her new, hot jigglin' ass.
Keep your chins up Kirstie. We love you!
7-22-2008 @ 9:32PM
Christine said...
This just goes to prove 2 things. 1..Kirtie is and always will be fat and lazy and 2.. The Jenny Craig diet doesn't work. The only way to lose wight is to exersice and the Jenny Craig diet doesn't promote that. It just wants you to spend money on thier food that tastes like crap. Kirstie.......GO TO A GYM!!
7-31-2008 @ 8:32AM
BILL SORRELLS said...
TO BRUCE WATSON: I TOO AM A FAN OF KIRSTY
ALLEY (HOPE I SPELLED THAT RIGHT) HOWEVER
YOU FORGOT TO MENTION STAR TREK II THE WRATH OF KHAN. BELIEVE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN HER FIRST MOTION PICTURE ROLE. SHE WAS
DEFINITLY BEAUTIFUL, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED SHE STILL IS. THAT PART OF A PERSON DOES NOT DIE.
WILD BILL M-60 MACHINE GUNNER 1970-1972 VIETNAM ALSO A MEMBER-PARTICIPENT IN OPERATION DEWEY CANYON II, LAM SON 719.
7-31-2008 @ 8:34AM
Bruce Watson said...
Wild Bill-
I thought about the Wrath of Khan, but the truth is that I only noticed that it was her during my second or third viewing, long after she started on Cheers. In the interests of total honesty, I decided to keep it out.
Thanks for your comment!
8-03-2008 @ 4:03PM
Constable Odo said...
If anyone had seen her in the first Star Trek movie, you'd never believe she was the same person. She was so slim and trim back then. I'm not making fun of her now, I'm just making a comparison. Being overweight is no laughing matter and some people find keeping their weight down very difficult to control. I know she said at one time that stress makes her eat. I'm just the opposite. When I'm stressed out, I have to force myself to eat.
I hope Kristie Alley finds some way to control her weight before it takes a serious toll on her health. Maybe she should do what Star Jones did and get that stomach-bypass procedure if it can help her.
9-26-2008 @ 2:33PM
HighSpeedMagazine said...
You forgot to mention her break out roll as Lt. Savikk in Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan!
She is possibly one of the hottest Vulcans ever!
DJ Foothill - Publisher
HighSpeed Magazine
http://www.hsdmagazine.com
9-26-2008 @ 2:33PM
Bruce Watson said...
DJ-
I didn't forget. In fact, I thought seriously about mentioning Savikk. The truth is, though, that I didn't recognize her until the third time I watched the movie, after she debuted on Cheers. In the interests of journalistic integrity, I was forced to drop references to her role as the sexiest Vulcan of all time.
And, yes, I thought that she was even hotter than Jolene Blalock!
Thanks for writing in!