Andy Richter is opening up about how decades of public comments about his weight have shaped him. Now, as he competes on “Dancing With the Stars”, he says the show has given him a new sense of confidence.
GettyDuring the November 4 episode of his SiriusXM podcast, “The Three Questions with Andy Richter,” the comedian reflected on how the focus on his body began back in 1993, when he first appeared as Conan O’Brien’s sidekick on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”
How ‘DWTS’ Became a Turning Point for His Health
“One of my standard lines is, ‘I didn’t know there were so many ways to call someone fat,’” he recalled. “‘Cherubic.’ ‘Rotund.’ It was galling to me at the time.”
DisneyNow 59, Richter said he often turned his size into a “comedy trope,” but admitted it wasn’t always easy. “They say nothing about my right-handedness, about my blue eyes,” he joked. “They don’t say anything about my good, strong teeth, but they have to mention that.”
DisneyWhen the chance to join “Dancing With the Stars” came up, Andy Richter saw it as more than just another television project, it was an opportunity to reset his health and mindset.
“I didn’t want to do it,” he admitted during an earlier appearance on “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.” “But then I thought, ‘No, I need to do this. I need to do this just to get moving.’”
DisneyRichter shared that the show pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped him rebuild both stamina and confidence. “It got me to go to the gym and do cardio, which I loathe,” he said with a laugh. “I started to do a lot more stretching to prepare myself.”
Facing the Challenge With Dance Partner Emma Slater
As rehearsals began, Andy Richter admitted he was anxious, even having “stress dreams” in the days leading up to his first performance. His nerves eased once he met his professional dance partner, Emma Slater.
“I luckily was paired with a sweet angel of a ballroom dancer,” he said.
“She’s fantastic. And there were so many people around there — from promo people to stagehands — who were like, ‘You got the best one.’ Because she is just so much fun.”
His Family’s Pride in His Transformation
DisneyRichter’s wife, Jennifer Herrera, has also celebrated his hard work and transformation throughout the competition.
“So proud of how much improvement he’s made through the weeks and the obvious health benefits!” Herrera wrote on Instagram. “Working out seven days a week, four hours a day (even when he’s sick) will make someone shine from the inside out.”
For Richter, the demanding rehearsal schedule has served as a wake-up call about discipline and well-being. “It’s been challenging, but I’m feeling better than I have in years,” he shared.
In Week 8, Richter and Slater are set to perform a contemporary routine to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys.
