Leslie Jones Talks Fashion at ‘Ghostbusters' Premiere: “It Takes a Real Designer to Design for Real Women”
Jones says "real people" have to speak up
By Corinne Heller ••
Leslie Jones wants to change the way fashion designers treat "real women."
The "Ghostbusters" star spoke to E! News' Erin Lim at the movie's L.A. premiere, where she slayed in a red Christian Siriano gown after tweeting last month that designers did not want to help her with a dress for the event. Siriano had offered his help soon after she posted her message, which was met with mixed reactions and has refueled public debate about high fashion's body standards.
"It takes a real designer to design for real women," Jones told Lim exclusively while also wearing accessories from Neiman Marcus. "That's what I was saying. I'll always say that."
Siriano had praised the actress, SNL cast member and standup comedienne's look at the premiere, saying on Instagram, "Now that's how you do it! You look stunning Leslie! Simple, elegant, powerful and chic!!"
Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
Actor Al Pacino, from left, director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Irishman' as part of the London Film Festival, in central London, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019.
Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP
Chris Hemsworth participates during a Q&A panel on day three at the Ace Comic-Con at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill.
Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP
Tessa Thompson, left, and Brie Larson participate during a Q&A panel on day two at the Ace Comic-Con at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill.
Erika Goldring/FilmMagic
Cardi B performs during the Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park on Oct. 6, 2019, in Austin, Texas.
Erika Goldring/FilmMagic
Lizzo performs during Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park on Oct. 6, 2019, in Austin, Texas.
Tim Mosenfelder/FilmMagic
Kacey Musgraves performs during the ACL Music Festival 2019 at Zilker Park on Oct. 6, 2019, in Austin, Texas.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
From left: Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Zahara Narley Jolie-Pitt and Knox Leon Jolie-Pitt arrive at the premiere of Disney's "Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil" at the El Capitan Theatre on Sept. 30, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
From left: Michelle Pfeiffer, Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning arrive at the premiere of Disney's "Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil" at the El Capitan Theatre on Sept. 30, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Actor Ed Skrein attends the World Premiere of Disney’s "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" at the El Capitan Theatre on Sept. 30, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Bebe Rexha attends the World Premiere of Disney's “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" at El Capitan Theatre on Sept. 30, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
From left: Bill Kaulitz, Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz arrive at the World Premiere of Disney's “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" at El Capitan Theatre on Sept. 30, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic performs onstage during the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on Sept. 28, 2019, in New York City.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Carole King and Kelly Clarkson perform onstage during the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on Sept. 28, 2019, in New York City.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Korean boy band NCT 127 perform onstage during the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on Sept. 28, 2019, in New York City.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Alicia Keys performs onstage during the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on Sept. 28, 2019, in New York City.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Pharrell Williams performs onstage during the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on Sept. 28, 2019, in New York City.
Amy Sussman/WireImage
D.B. Weiss and cast and crew of "Game of Thrones" accept the Outstanding Drama Series award onstage during the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on Sept. 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez and Donatella Versace walk the runway at the Versace show during the Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 on September 20, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Pietro D'Aprano/Getty Images
Irina Shayk walks the runway at the Moschino show during the Milan Fashion Week, Sept. 19, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Jeremy Scott walks the runway at the Moschino show during the Milan Fashion Week, Sept. 19, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Gigi Hadid walks the runway at the Moschino show during the Milan Fashion Week, Sept. 19, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Joan Smalls walks the runway at the Moschino show during the Milan Fashion Week, Sept. 19, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Stella Maxwell walks the runway at the Moschino show during the Milan Fashion Week, Sept. 19, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Bella Hadid walks the runway at the Moschino show during the Milan Fashion Week, Sept. 19, 2019, in Milan, Italy.
Trae Patton/NBC
From left: Simon Cowell, Julianne Hough, Kodi Lee, Gabrielle Union, Howie Mandel, Terry Crews celebrates Lee's win on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Trae Patton/NBC
AGT finalist and eventual winner Kodi Lee performs with Leona Lewis on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Trae Patton/NBC
Judge Julianne Hough debuts a new single along with stunt team V. Unbeatable on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Trae Patton/NBC
From left: V. Unbeatable, Kodi Lee, Light Balance Kids, Ryan Niemiller, Emanne Beasha, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Tyler Butler-Figueroa, Voices of Service, Benicio Bryant and the Detroit Youth Choir seen on stage on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Trae Patton/NBC
Voices of Service as seen on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Trae Patton/NBC
Cher performs on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Trae Patton/NBC
Terry Crews and Cher as seen on the season 14 finale of "America's Got Talent," Sept. 18, 2019.
Jones had echoed similar comments while talking about the issue at large during E! News' Facebook Live chat with the "Ghostbusters" cast last week.
"I've been six feet tall since the sixth grade," she told moderator Marc Malkin. "It was always hard for me to find clothes. So for the industry not to make clothes for me, the average woman that actually goes into the store and buys them, yeah, it kinda pisses me off a little bit. And I'm not saying that there's nothing wrong with being curvy, 'cause I'm a size, like, 10. I mean, I used to be a 14."
Jones says "real people" have to speak up because they are spending money too.
"It's a very strange thing," co-star Melissa McCarthy added. "I've always been bewildered that, I think 72 percent of the American population is, I think, a 14 or above...I'm always bewildered; what other business goes, 'Is it the majority? I'm for sure gonna keep you out.' I mean, I started a clothing line 'cause I couldn't shop, I couldn't get stuff, I had to have all my stuff made and I thought, 'This is madness.'"
"We come in every shape, size, color, height and everything and they should serve that," she added.
Jones also wants to change the status quo when it comes to fashion inventory for women with average or larger than average figures.
"I believe that the craziest...most wrong statement that can be made is, 'That's just how it is," the actress said. "That's just gonna kill us. There's no such thing as that. Stop accepting that. It's not just the way it is. Say something."
