Despite the barriers, she focused on playing characters defined by substance.
"I just play roles that have nothing to do with my size, but with my power and spirit," Manheim explained.
She reflected on the exhausting nature of advocating for representation, saying, "It felt like a constant battle of teaching people and making them comfortable with it."
Manheim expressed gratitude for younger actresses who are now championing body diversity. "I'm so thankful for the younger actresses changing things in the industry," she said.
She noted their impact on younger generations: "Now they can feel that they're being represented in popular culture."
Manheim attended the event to support her close friend Rosie O'Donnell, who has been open about her own weight loss journey using the medication Mounjaro.
>>> Scottish Premiership Clubs Rebuild Squads Ahead of Season Opener
O'Donnell called it a "miracle drug" that "saved her life."
