Before she was Charlotte York on Sex and the City, Kristin Davis booked her breakout role on the hit drama series, Melrose Place, a spin-off of the smash success, Beverly Hills, 90210. But, according to Davis, starring in one of the hottest TV dramas at the time was not all it was cracked up to be.
In a recent interview, Davis reflected on a particularly difficult situation while involved with the series, which had to do with weight and thinness. She explained, “There was a general vibe on the set though, that was difficult, about the thinness situation.”
In the 1990s, being thin was so normalized that many never bat an eye at the situation. Of course, the subject is part of a much larger conversation today, but many experienced issues with it in the past.
“It was normal for a long time,” Davis explained. “You could look at it either way. But I mean, there was a lot of stress. If you had hips, it was a situation.”
Davis shared that the conversation surrounding weight became an issue for her while starring alongside celebrities like Heather Locklear on Melrose Place.
“Every single person was gorgeous and super skinny,” she says. “So, I was like, ‘This is what I have to do.’” Davis shared that she even hired a running coach to stay thin like her costars. I was frustrated. I was trying to do the thing,” Davis shared. “Of course, I’m sure I wasn’t eating, I have no idea. I don’t remember the eating part.”
A costar revealed producers were worried about Davis’ weight
Although Davis believed she was doing what needed to be done, it wasn’t always the best for her body and her health. The actress even recalled that one time she had fainted in a parking lot due to her lack of eating and over-exercising.
But things got even stranger for Davis after she was approached by Melrose costar, Thomas Calabro, and learned that being thin was not something only she was worried about. In fact, Calabro let it slip that producers of the drama had spoken about the subject.
Davis shared that Calabro had said to her, “I think you look great,” but added, “I know that the producers are really stressed, you know, but I just think it’s amazing that we have a woman who has curves.” Calabro added that he thought the producers shouldn’t put too much pressure on Davis.
Considering this was already something on Davis’ mind, the conversation startled her, and she went straight to the source. The actress went to the line producer to share what she’d heard from Calabro and asked whether it was true.
Davis revealed she asked point-blank, “’Did someone say something? Did Mr. [Aaron] Spelling say something?’ And he was like, ‘We think you look beautiful,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, and?’ He goes, ‘Just don’t gain any weight.’”
While this sort of conversation would certainly not bode well for producers today, the 1990s were an entirely different story, as weight and thinness were ingrained into society and everyday culture.
But after keeping these situations to herself for years, Davis is finally opening that door into her life at the time, thanks to her new podcast, Are You A Charlotte?.
