Melissa McCarthy has left fans speechless after gracing the cover of People's 2023 Beautiful Issue.
Speaking to the outlet after being given the honor, the 52-year-old said that she was "incredibly flattered."
"I thought the younger version of myself or everybody out there who isn't the youngest or whatever... I felt like it was saying something really lovely to my younger self, to my 20-year-old self," she told the outlet in this week's cover story.
"And maybe to other people, too," she added.
The actress then talked about how her family reacted to the news, saying: "He [her husband] said, 'Well, I think so too.' Because he's sweet."
"I haven't told the girls. They were trying to talk me into getting yet another gecko, so I haven't gotten around to telling them yet," she said before adding that the title "might mean more to [them] as they get older."
Sharing the images to Instagram, the outlet revealed to fans that McCarthy's first thought was "Did my mom and my dad have the two main votes?"
But fans knew exactly why the star had been picked.
"Ohhhhh this makes me so happy! The hours of smiles and laughter this woman has given me, even in the darkest of times. BEAUTIFUL INDEED!" a fan commented.
"You make the world a brighter place," the official Instagram for Barbie added.
Another user joined the conversation saying: "I love this and her! She is beautiful and so so funny!"
And over on Twitter, social media users got together to express their happiness at the latest issue.
"I can’t believe I’m seeing this. Melissa McCarthy for People’s Beautiful Issue 2023," this user tweeted alongside some snapshots of the Gilmore Girls star.
"Melissa McCarthy being on the cover of People’s Beautiful Issue is making my heart happy," added another. "She is such an unproblematic and beautiful individual."
"Love this for her and so many other women who do not conform to 'societies' beliefs. I’m feeling it now as medications have taken over."
However, some people pointed out that the images looked incredibly photoshopped though they were quickly shut down by another user who pointed out that make up and stage lighting literally changes everything.
"People b****ing claiming Melissa McCarthy looks photoshopped in the magazine cover are delusional and clearly don’t watch the behind the scenes footage to show barely anything was done flash photos and lighting can change a lot," they hit back.
Accompanying the gorgeous photoshoot was an interview in which the 52-year-old delved into the ins and outs of her life, from her childhood, all the way to becoming the talented actress she is known to be today.
"I loved sports, I loved dressing up. I just was kind of super high-energy," she told People. "We grew up on a farm so I think it gives you a really different perspective, because I went to school in town, all my friends were like, 'Yeah, we ride bikes, we all hang out afterwards.' And I'm like, 'Well, it's just kind of me in a barn.'"
McCarthy added that high school became the place to explore and find herself, but she was also subjected to ciritisim for doing so.
"I was fascinated because when I walked down the street and I looked like that, it was the first time that I'd ever had people kind of make fun of me or say really mean things to me, even adults," she explained. "I just kept thinking, 'You don't know me; I didn't do anything to you.'"
"It was a real big eye-opener that people are just judging left and right," the actress continued. "Luckily, instead of going back into my shell, I think that made me want to seek out people [expressing themselves] more. Because I was like, that's so much more fun."
Well, McCarthy has certainly left her mark now and we can't help but love her for it!
