Emmy award-winning actress Kirstie Alley has been a hot ticket since she cha-cha-cha'd her way into viewers' hearts on "Dancing With The Stars" last year. Alley, 61, shot a pilot for a new sitcom for ABC called "The Manzanis", a fish-out-of-water story of an Italian American family from Brooklyn who moves to a country-club town in the suburbs only to clash with their new neighbors. She strutted the catwalk covered in Swarovski crystals at Mercedes-Benz fashion week in New York for designer Zang Toi last September. Most recently, she signed on to play the "Poise Fairy" in a sponsorship for Poise, which makes pads for light bladder leakage, a condition experienced by one in three women.
Alley, who reportedly lost 100 pounds and had shrunk to a size 6 by the end of "DWTS" has kept the weight off by dancing at least two hours a day. She launched a grassroots campaign on January 1 called "100 Days of Dance" to promote healthy lifestyles (you can check out her moves here.) The Wichita, Kansas native is a mom of two, William, 19, and Lillie, 17, from her marriage to Parker Stevenson. Huff/Post50 caught up with Alley to chat about her greatest accomplishment, biggest regret and advice for the next generation.
What's the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were growing up?
That slips, particularly big red petticoats, don’t look good on your head. It’s better to grow and toss real hair, even if it is thick and wavy, mom!
At this stage of life, what's the one rule you feel you can break with impunity?
That I can have hair down to my boobs.
What is the riskiest thing you've done in your life since you've turned 50?
Dated a psychopath. But I didn’t set that intention!
What ignites your creativity?
Almost everything. I like the beauty that I see everywhere, in everything. Oh, and solving problems with people of like playful minds. I could work 18-hour days with playful people to follow good ideas and work things through.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To tell the truth. No, that’s it, to tell the truth. It helps to keep life simpler -- thanks, Dad!
What social or political cause are you most passionate about?
Civil and mostly human rights. I work tirelessly on behalf of children and am really appalled at the trigger-ready attitude towards using addictive psychiatric drugs to solve behavioral problems, particularly in the foster care system. It’s unconscionable.
What is your biggest regret?
My speech when I received an Emmy for my role on "Cheers." I know it sounds silly but when I was nominated, I was so humbled to be in the same category as women such as Joanne Woodward and Jessica Tandy. I never thought I would win so I figured I would honor them if I did. Then, the day of the Emmys, Jessica Tandy died. That reconfirmed my idea for my speech. Again in the unlikely event, I thought, that I would win. Then, just as we sat down, we were told not to talk about Jessica. So when I actually went on stage to receive an Emmy, I was, literally, speechless. My speech was horrible and I prayed to win an Emmy that next year solely to apologize for my stupid speech!
What is your greatest accomplishment?
That I’ve raised sane children in an insane world. I’m really proud that they are happy, intelligent, generous and contributing members of society.
If you could say one thing to the next generation, what would it be?
Marijuana is a drug and it will mess you up. It’s far better to be present in the moment and to work on awareness. Drugs are the opposite of being alive.
If you could reincarnate as anyone or anything, what or who would it be?
I would choose to be Elizabeth Taylor when she was married to Richard Burton. I would just die to make out with him and oh, I wouldn’t mind looking like her either.
Check out our slideshow below for clips for Alley's most memorable moments.
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