Chrissy Metz explains why This Is Us producers cast a thin actor to play her heavy boyfriend (with the help of prosthetics) on TV's This Is Us

By Bobbie Whiteman For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:57 EST, 17 February 2017 | Updated: 15:39 EST, 17 February 2017

They play lovers who get together at a meeting for people struggling with their weight and self-esteem in NBC's hit sitcom, This Is Us.

Now Chrissy Metz, who actually is a plus-sized actress, has spoken out in defense of her co-star Chris Sullivan, who was recently revealed to be wearing extra padding for the role.

The 36-year-old explained the reasons why he was cast in an interview on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Thursday.

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Big reveal: Plus-sized actress Chrissy Metz spoke out in defense of her This Is Us co-star Chris Sullivan, who was recently revealed to be wearing extra padding for the role, on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Thursday

'We tested a lot of gentlemen who were bigger, and I get it — people think the authenticity is kind of ruined by that. 

'But Chris has been heavier, so I think he understands the plight of being overweight,' the actress explained.

'Also he was just the best man for the job. And people wear prosthetics all the time -it’s just weight as opposed to, like, a nose or a chin,' she continued.

'It’s just kind of the name of the game.'

Size difference: Chris showed off his more slender physique in a colourful outfit at the People's Choice Awards with Chrissy in LA in January where This Is Us won for favorite new TV drama

Size difference: Chris showed off his more slender physique in a colourful outfit at the People's Choice Awards with Chrissy in LA in January where This Is Us won for favorite new TV drama

Pretty in pink: The beautiful brunette made a statement in a chiffon gown at NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, CA, on February 11

Pretty in pink: The beautiful brunette made a statement in a chiffon gown at NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, CA, on February 11

In fact Chrissy had to wear extra padding herself when she landed a recurring role as 'fat lady' Ima Barbara Wiggles on American Horror Story: Freak Show in 2014 and 2015.

The star told People: 'It was sobering. I thought, "What if I become that heavy and can’t walk around or get stuck in the doorframe?" I was like, I don’t want this for me.'

Meanwhile, Chrissy chatted about This Is Us to Wendy Williams on her  show on Friday.

Piling on the pounds: Despite her size, the 36-year-old had to wear a fat suit for her role in American Horror Story: Freak Show in 2014 and 2015

Piling on the pounds: Despite her size, the 36-year-old had to wear a fat suit for her role in American Horror Story: Freak Show in 2014 and 2015

Wearing a black and white-striped T-shirt under a black silky smock, she dished about her new beau, Josh Stancil, who is a camera grip on the show.

They've been together for five months and Chrissy revealed that Josh was okay about shooting bedroom scenes between her and Chris.

'But it wasn't his favorite thing when I had a long kiss with Chris and we had to do it, like, 12 times,' she joked.

Together for five months: Chrissy dished about her new beau, Josh Stancil, who is a camera grip on This Is Us when she appeared on Wendy Williams' show Wendy on Friday

Together for five months: Chrissy dished about her new beau, Josh Stancil, who is a camera grip on This Is Us when she appeared on Wendy Williams' show Wendy on Friday

  

 

 

 

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