Sarah Paulson Talks About Controversial Look In 'Impeachment': 'Fatphobia Is Real'

Sarah Paulson, who played Linda Tripp in "Impeachment: American Crime Story," has opened up about her physical appearance in the television series and the issues surrounding it.

The 46-year-old actress noted that the controversy around her wearing a fat suit in the series is a "legitimate one." Moreover, she said it's been difficult for her to discuss the matter "without feeling like I'm making excuses" in an interview with Los Angeles Times last week.

"I think fatphobia is real. I think to pretend otherwise causes further harm," the actress said. "And it is a very important conversation to be had."

However, the actress explained the entire responsibility of such portrayal in the series shouldn't fall only on the actors for "choosing to do something that is arguable — and I'm talking about from the inside out — the challenge of a lifetime."

In the said series, Paulson played the character of Tripp, who helped expose Bill Clinton's affair with activist Monica Lewinsky. She had to wear prosthetics and a wig for the role.

"I think the thing I think about the most is that I regret not thinking about it more fully," she added. "And that is an important thing for me to think about and reflect on."

The actress then admitted to being aware that "it's a privileged place to be sitting and thinking about it and reflecting on it, having already gotten to do it, and having had an opportunity that someone else didn't have."

"You can only learn what you learn when you learn it. Should I have known? Abso-f---ing-lutely," she said further. "But I do now. And I wouldn't make the same choice going forward."

In April, Ryan Murphy, the creator of "Impeachment: American Crime Story," spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the actress' transformation into Tripp's character.

Murphy revealed the actress had been committed to the character and planned to portray herself naturally. He also disclosed Paulson had gained some weight to match Tripp's look.

"And then, you know, you put the wig on her and it's sort of an amazing thing she's doing physically," he explained. "It's very transformative."

Paulson has been a regular on the series since 2016. Its third season is all set to premiere on Sept. 7, 10 p.m., on FX.

The actress has also been a regular on "American Horror Story" since 2011. Meanwhile, her thriller series "Ratched," which tells the origin story of Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," dropped on Netflix in September 2020.