In a recent heartfelt revelation, Delta Burke, the beloved sitcom star from the 1980s, has opened up about the intense struggles she faced both mentally and physically during her acting career, including a harrowing battle with crystal meth addiction.
Burke, now 67, gained nationwide fame for her role as a former beauty queen on the CBS sitcom “Designing Women.” But behind the glitz and glamour of her on-screen persona, Burke was grappling with a much darker reality. Reflecting on her time on the show, she described feeling trapped and marginalized, lamenting that she was treated more like a servant than a valued member of the cast.
The breaking point came in 1990, when Burke voiced her frustrations about the toxic atmosphere on set during a candid interview with Barbara Walters. This bold move led to her abrupt departure from the show the following year, ending her five-year tenure as the vivacious Suzanne Sugarbaker.
In a recent interview on the podcast “Glamorous Trash” with Chelsea Devantez, Burke delved deeper into her tumultuous journey. She revealed the depth of her struggles for the first time, admitting that the initial excitement of being part of “Designing Women” quickly faded as the pressure and scrutiny mounted.
“I wanted to leave,” Burke confessed, her voice tinged with regret. “But I wasn’t allowed to. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I had been allowed to leave… It got ugly and very sad.”
Burke also addressed personal rumors surrounding her marriage to actor Gerald McRaney. Despite living in Los Angeles with her husband for over three decades, there were unfounded allegations that McRaney was to blame for her professional troubles. Burke vehemently denied these claims, emphasizing the strength of their bond and the happiness she has found in their enduring marriage.
“I love my life truly for the first time,” Burke declared with conviction. “And I love him desperately.”
The journey to contentment was not an easy one for Burke. The relentless scrutiny over her appearance, particularly her weight, took a severe toll on her self-esteem, pushing her into a downward spiral of addiction. Burke admitted that she initially turned to prescription pills, commonly known as “Black Beauties,” before succumbing to crystal meth as a desperate means of weight loss.
“They were like medicine to me,” Burke confessed, her tone laced with remorse. “Nobody knew about [it] at the time.”
As she recounted her struggles, Burke painted a vivid picture of her darkest days, consuming crystal meth before filming and depriving herself of food for days on end. Despite her efforts to conform to Hollywood’s unrealistic standards of beauty, she found herself trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior, haunted by incessant criticism about her physique.
“I remember on the set, when it got really bad, and I wasn’t handling it well with a smiling face, my whole body language changed,” Burke recalled, her voice trembling with emotion. “I would kind of hunch over… I just tried to disappear.”
Looking back, Burke expressed regret over the toll this toxic culture of perfectionism took on her well-being. She lamented how actresses are subjected to relentless scrutiny and unrealistic expectations, recounting how critics constantly belittled her appearance.
“They were still saying, ‘Your butt’s too big. Your legs are too big,’” Burke recounted, her voice tinged with bitterness. “And I now look back at those pictures and go, ‘I was a freaking goddess.’”
Despite the adversity she faced, Burke remains resilient, determined to reclaim her narrative and advocate for greater awareness of mental health issues in the entertainment industry. As she continues to navigate life beyond the spotlight, Burke hopes her story will inspire others to prioritize self-care and seek support in times of struggle.
In a world that often prioritizes image over authenticity, Burke’s courage to speak her truth serves as a poignant reminder of the power of resilience and self-acceptance. As she embarks on the next chapter of her journey, Burke remains an inspiration to all who dare to defy societal expectations and embrace their true selves.
