Fit and Fabulous Emily Skinner Feels Like ‘The Kirstie Alley of Broadway’ After Billy Elliot Slim Down

After seven years away, big-time belter Emily Skinner is back on Broadway with a fabulous new figure. The secret of her success? Playing ballet teacher Mrs. Wilkinson in the hit musical Billy Elliot!

“I got into good shape doing Billy Elliot,” Skinner told Broadway.com. The popular performer, a Tony nominee for Side Show, revealed that people have been stopping her on the streets of the theater district to comment on her new figure: “It’s hysterical. I feel like I’m sort of the Kirstie Alley of Broadway at the moment!" she laughed, referring to the TV star's struggles and recent success on the scale.

“I lost a lot of weight really fast,” she explained, adding that she's down two dress sizes. “I do Billy Elliot eight times a week and I’ve been doing it eight times a week since the beginning of the year.” Skinner first played the role in the Chicago production of the musical in early 2010 and joined the Broadway company on October 2.

Skinner revealed that the Chicago rehearsal process was intense: “They put me in boxing class, they put me in pilates class, they put me in ballet class. The training was like nothing you’ve seen.”

These days, Skinner has to work hard to keep from getting too skinny. “I have to go home now and eat my head off after shows every day to keep weight on. That’s never been a problem for me!”

Forever linked to Alice Ripley for their unforgettable performances as siamese twins Daisy and Violet Hilton in the short-lived but well-loved musical Side Show, Skinner also appeared on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde, James Joyce's The Dead, The Full Monty and Dinner at Eight. Recent regional credits include Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Mae West in Dirty Blonde.

For more from Skinner, look for our Ask a Star video next week!