Delta Burke, best known for her role in Designing Women, revealed on the “Glamorous Trash” podcast that she turned to crystal meth in an effort to lose weight. While studying in London, she was prescribed pills that made her heart race and helped her lose weight. Upon returning to the US, she sought out the pills, known as Black Beauties, and eventually turned to crystal meth when she built a tolerance to them. Despite her drug use, Burke felt pressure to lose even more weight, although she now reflects on that time as feeling like a goddess.
Black Beauties were a combination amphetamine capsule popular in the 1960s and 1970s, marketed as diet pills. They contained a mix of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and were taken off the market in 1998. Burke explained that she initially used the pills for weight loss, as opposed to recreation, and eventually turned to crystal meth for more drastic effects. She describes the process of using crystal meth and how it caused her to go without food for days at a time, highlighting the extreme measures she took to maintain her weight.
In her 1998 memoir Delta Style: Eve Wasn’t a Size 6 and Neither Am I, Burke opens up about her struggles with weight loss and body image. She also shared her experiences on the podcast, recalling how she never thought of herself as plus-sized until a fan approached her and thanked her for representing full-figured women. Burke received letters of support from women who were inspired by her portrayal on screen and would keep them close during filming to stay grounded. Despite the pressures to be thin in Hollywood, Burke found solace in the support she received from fans and the positive impact she had on others.
Aside from her weight loss journey and struggles, Burke is best known for her roles in TV shows like Designing Women and Filthy Rich. During her time on Designing Women, she received critical acclaim and two Emmy Award nominations for her performance. While Burke battled her own body image issues, she also found empowerment in representing plus-sized women and being a role model for others. Her openness and honesty about her past drug use shed light on the pressures faced by actors in Hollywood and the lengths they may go to in order to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
Burke’s revelations about her drug use for weight loss shine a spotlight on the darker side of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Despite her success on screen, Burke struggled with her weight and body image in a world that often emphasizes unrealistic beauty standards. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their bodies and not resort to extreme measures to fit in. Burke’s journey serves as a reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and the damaging effects of societal pressures on individuals in the public eye. Her courage in speaking out about her struggles can bring awareness to the harmful impact of body shaming and the importance of self-love and acceptance.
