Melissa McCarthy: Women 'shouldn't apologise'

Actress Melissa McCarthy. Photo / AFP

Melissa McCarthy says women shouldn't apologise for "wanting equal rights".

The Spy star has commented on Hollywood's gender pay gap, insisting women should only want the best for themselves if they're willing to put in the work.

When asked if it is possible to send moviegoers a message and make them laugh at the same time, she said: "I hope so. That's the grand plan. Like I said before, women should not apologise for getting in there and taking what they want. They should not apologise for wanting equal pay or equal rights. They should not apologise for wanting it all, but they should be willing to work for it.

"I remember calling my parents at 20 and being like, 'I'm not going back to school. I tried stand-up last night. I'm going to be an actress.' And they were like, 'All right. Well, work your butt off. It's going to be hard, but you can do it.' And I think I buy that. If you work hard enough, you can achieve, and I hope that message is in there."

The 45-year-old actress wouldn't class herself as a role model and claims no woman is "perfect".

She added to Refinery29 website: "I know I am not the 'norm'. It never occurs to me in terms of being a role model, though, because I don't know any perfect women. If I, off the top of my head, name 20 of the most amazing women in my life, it's all shapes, sizes, ages, colours, jobs."

- Bang! Showbiz