Melissa McCarthy Defends Controversial Elle Cover: "I Picked the Coat!"

Melissa McCarthy thinks everyone needs to calm down.

The actress recently became the center of a minor controversy for appearing on the cover on Elle — looking absolutely stunning — in a Marina Rinaldi coat, which many felt was used to conceal as much of McCarthy's body as possible. But according to the actress, she just wanted to embrace the changing seasons!

"What I found so bizarre is I picked the coat," McCarthy told E! News. "I grabbed the coat. I covered up. I had a great black dress on, but I thought, it comes out in November. I was so sick of summer. I live in Southern California. I was like, 'Give me a big coat to wear. Give the girl some cashmere!'"

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McCarthy added: "I picked the coat. They were like, 'The dress is really great,' but I was like, 'Yeah, but look at this.' I was just shocked I didn't steal it. Now I think I really should have the coat. I'm petitioning for that coat. Give me that coat. I earned it, damn it!"

Elle also defended McCarthy's styling, which included voluminous hair partially covering her face. "On all of our shoots, our stylists work with the stars to choose pieces they feel good in, and this is no different: Melissa loved this look, and is gorgeous on our cover," the magazine said in a statement. "We are thrilled to honor her as one of our Women in Hollywood this year."