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'The Talk': Gorge's Chrissy Metz says story of 300-pound Mt Kilimanjaro climber is 'timely, needs to be told'

The movie is based on a memoir by Cara Richardson Whitely who was determined to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Whitely, however, struggled with each step -- not only was it a grueling trek but also she weighed 300 pounds. Ultimately, sheer will conquers her fears and the 19,308-feet journey

On Tuesday’s episode of the Emmy-winning CBS daytime talk show ‘The Talk’, co-hosts Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, rapper Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marie Osmond had a delightful conversation with actor and singer Chrissy Metz. 

The 39-year-old, most famous for her role as Kate Pearson on the NBC dramedy ‘This Is Us’, discussed producing a new Amazon Studios film, ‘Gorge’. The movie is based on a memoir by Cara Richardson Whitely who was determined to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Whitely, however, struggled with each step -- not only was it a grueling trek but also she weighed 300 pounds. Ultimately, sheer will conquers her fears and the 19,308-feet journey.

Metz, talking about Whitely, said, “She really did it. And there are like major athletes who have to turn around. I mean you’re going through five climates in eight days, and it’s not -- yeah.”

Metz added, “She met me at my book signing, she stood in line for six hours, to give me her book.” 

The actor who has never shied away from expressing how she feels about body image and weight issues said, “Weight is something that most people, it's like the final frontier, like we sort of glamorize, you know drugs, sex, rock ‘n roll, and people think -- Oh, if you are overweight, you are just sitting in the corner eating a candy bar. You're like, you have no idea what that really means or what looks like. So I just feel like it’s a story that is so timely and just needs to be told.”

Metz also spoke about performing her Oscar-nominated song ‘I'm Standing With You’ from her 2019 film ‘Breakthrough’ at the 92nd Academy Awards. “It’s pretty special,” said Metz about the song. 

When Eve asked Metz, “Who in the crowd might take you off your game?” the actor and singer immediately responded with, “Leo [Dicaprio], maybe Brad [Pitt]…I’m going to sing at them, with them. I can’t be in my head about it and I will just be present and prepared. Hopefully, nobody throws me off.”

 'The Talk' airs Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. PT.