Nancy McKeon is addressing the focus on the cast’s significance in The Facts of Life’s nine seasons.

According to Page Six, McKeon, 58, claims she and her co-stars had behind-the-scenes chats about their weight and nutrition.

“Each one of us had to deal with things in our own way and things that were brought to us,” she said to the media.

The Facts of Life, which ran on NBC from 1979 until 1988, followed the exploits of a group of students at a fictional all-girls boarding school. McKeon joined the ensemble of the show, which already starred Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, and Kim Fields, as tomboy Jo Polniaczek for the second season in 1980. McKeon, Whelchel, Cohn, and Fields were all in their early teens during the show’s first few seasons, as McKeon stated in an interview with Page Six.

“When you think about the fact that you are recording somebody’s puberty—I mean, from 14 to, you know, early 20s—that period, there’s so much development; there’s so many things that you’re going through,” she told me. “Looking back, it is rather odd. How could you not experience all of the changes that everyone in life has gone through?”

McKeon clarified why they “made a thing” out of the weight of the youthful cast.

She explained, “It’s known as show business, where individuals pursue their own desires.” However, as human beings, we understand that everyone possesses unique characteristics and merits representation. I do not believe there is a single ideal.

McKeon also expressed her belief that television should embrace all body types. “That’s what defines art. That’s what’s intriguing about people watching and connecting with a character, for whatever reason,” she remarked. “We need as many distinct individuals as possible, regardless of size, shape, form, or color.” That’s what makes art unique.”

She said that she and her co-stars “had to navigate” those invasive conversations in the 1980s but have now moved on.

“Hopefully that’s not going to be so much the focus for young actors to come,” according to her.

McKeon’s recollections reflect remarks given by Whelchel, 61. In 2023, the actress, singer, and novelist who portrayed preppy Blair Warner on The Facts of Life told Yahoo Entertainment that a scale was erected on the show’s set to weigh the young actresses, and she was transferred to a “fat farm” three times during the show’s hiatuses.

“Certainly, as a teenager, that was a lot,” Whelchel confessed. “Even back then, I knew it was a business. They recruited me to play a certain character that looked a certain way. It was also quite difficult because I was going through puberty, my parents were divorcing, and I lived in California while they lived in Texas, so there was emotional eating involved. “All the things that are not typical of teenage girls.”

More recently, Cohn, 58, has discussed how her body image has altered in recent years.

“I wasn’t one of those girls that peaked in high school,” Cohn, whose Facts of Life character Natalie Green was always proud of her bigger body, told Vanity Fair last year. “To be honest with you, I believe I am at my top now. I think I’ll look the cutest in my sixties. And I believe that females like me, who live a life in which you aren’t your most gorgeous in your 20s and 30s but begin to look nice in your 50s and 60s, have it a lot easier. I didn’t feel as self-conscious about my physical appearance as those who received compliments on their beauty.