Watch Amy Schumer Talk Body Image Issues on ‘Today’
With her massive hit movie Trainwreck and Emmy-winning Comedy Central sketch series, Amy Schumer has become 2015’s comedy breakout star. But the writer-actress-comic addressed a more emotional subject – body image – with Maria Shriver on Friday’s episode of Today.
“It’s been a struggle for me my whole life, especially just being in the entertainment industry – standing on a stage in front of people,” Schumer says. “I can’t perform my best or be confident if I’m not sure, if I’m pulling in something … Sometimes I would want to throw in the towel and be like, ‘I’m not going to do stand-up tonight.'”
The comedian recently partnered with Goodwill to establish a “style fund organization” and has co-hosted empowerment workshops to “educate, inspire and transform women through fashion.” Schumer found an ally in Trainwreck stylist Leesa Evans, who helped both Schumer and her sister grow more confident with their appearance.
“Leesa had given me this gift of showing me how to dress and feel good,” she says, holding back tears. “She didn’t have to do this, but she just did – she shopped for my sister also. And seeing my little sister wearing a little blazer and a shirt and looking just like a strong, beautiful woman, I realized that holding myself back was also holding her back.”
Schumer says she wanted to give those tools “to every woman,” which served as the catalyst for her partnership with Goodwill of Southern California.