Lisa Ann Walter Struggled With Body Image Issues Until Sheryl Lee Ralph Told Her To Stop Talking ‘Trash’ About Herself

Mar 10, 2023 by apost team

In Hollywood, it has been quite difficult for female celebrities to embrace the now-modern notion of feeling good about one’s curvier and voluptuous body type. This is because, in the past decades, female celebrities who were of bigger stature and larger build were frowned upon, or they were less favored by casting directors or the general public. 

That was the stigma that actress Lisa Ann Walter has lived by in the few decades she has been in the entertainment industry. Walter is most notably known for her role in the film “The Parent Trap,” starring Lindsay Lohan, who played two versions of herself. Walter played the passionate Chessy. In the past, she has also starred in various sitcoms like “My Wildest Dreams,” “Life's Work” and “Emeril,” among many other television shows. Walter was also in other films like “Bruce Almighty, “Killers,” “War of the Worlds” and “Drillbit Taylor.”

But Walter had recently regained prominence when she was cast as the resourceful and spicy Sicilian teacher Melissa Schemmenti on ABC's mockumentary sitcom, “Abbott Elementary” – reintroducing her again to a much more diverse and younger audience. 

Among the costars that she works with is Emmy-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, who also became one of her dearest friends. Ralph is one of the ensemble teachers in the titular show’s elementary school set in Philadelphia. On-screen, the pair's incredible dynamics and banter are something that many have grown to love. 

Turns out, off-camera, Walter and Ralph’s friendship is even stronger as the latter gave the former a very meaningful piece of advice which she has grown to live by since then. 

Ralph is one of the most distinguished African-American actresses in the country. The Tony-nominated actress and singer originated the role of Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls” on Broadway. She is also known for her roles in “Moesha,” Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, “The Mighty Quinn” and “To Sleep with Anger.” She currently plays the role of Barbara Howard at “Abbott Elementary” alongside Walter. 

“Abbott Elementary” has been recognized by many award-giving bodies since it started airing in 2022. In a red carpet interview at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 25, 2023, Walter revealed the best piece of advice that Ralph shared with her during their time working together.

“Sheryl was the one who said to me, ‘You talk too much trash about yourself — I know you think it’s funny. You’re gonna stop that. You are beautiful. Your body is beautiful. I don’t want to hear negative (things),'” Walter told The Wrap. “So I said, ‘Alright … that’s good advice,’ and it truly changed how I was.”

Growing up, Walter believed women “weren’t supposed to have curves,” and every girl was supposed to “look like a Charlie’s Angel.”

“I spent an entire life trying to lose 10 pounds that God gave me to have a beautiful, womanly figure,” she continued. “It has given me a lot of pain, a lot of stress and tears, and it’s a disease. We need to stop with this crap.”

Ralph’s wisdom, confidence and idea of self-love have surely rubbed off on Walter as they've spent more time together working on “Abbott Elementary.” 

“Sheryl is so centered and living in her beauty and her glory and all the things that are wonderful about herself that anybody that spends any time standing next to that picks up some of it,” Walter gushed.

apost.com

Isn’t Lisa Ann Walter beautiful? What can you say about Walter’s realization? Do you agree with Sheryl Lee Ralph’s advice? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other loved ones who you think could use the same advice that Ralph gave!