Comedian and actress Fortune Feimster is known for her sharp wit, Southern charm, and hilarious takes on everyday life.
But recently, the spotlight has also turned to a more personal aspect of her journey, Fortune Feimster’s weight loss.
The former athlete-turned-comedy-star has opened up about her transformation, revealing the motivations, struggles, and mindset shifts that led to shedding 40 pounds, all while maintaining her signature sense of humor.
Fortune Feimster Was A Great High School Athlete
Before her days on Netflix and late-night comedy circuits, Fortune Feimster was a standout athlete growing up in Belmont, North Carolina.
At South Point High School, she excelled in basketball, softball, and tennis, even serving as captain of the tennis team.
Her competitive spirit continued at Peace College (now William Peace University), where she played Division III soccer and tennis while earning the highest GPA among athletes and serving as student body president.
Despite being a natural athlete, weight and body image were always present in Feimster’s story.
She shared in her comedy special, “Sweet & Salty,”
“I was born 10 and a half pounds. I was always a big kid. When you’re a kid, you’re just trying to fit in but I’ve always been a big person.”
The Conversation Of Fortune Feimster’s Weight Loss Started Five Years Ago
The real conversation around Fortune Feimster’s weight loss began in 2020.
In interviews and stand-up sets, she discussed a mix of experiences that motivated her to make a change, including a hilariously awkward doctor’s visit where a physician smacked her bare belly.
That moment, she said, “set off something in my head,” prompting her to re-evaluate her health for the first time.
She admitted,
“It was the first time in my life I tried to be healthy. Turns out, when you diet and exercise, you lose weight — who knew?”
Another catalyst came when she and her fiancée, kindergarten teacher Jacquelyn Smith, reviewed their engagement photos and noticed the effects of “love weight.”
Rather than spiral into self-criticism, Feimster used it as an opportunity to shift her lifestyle.
She Has Learned To Self-Love And Prioritize Health
Feimster has always approached body image with authenticity and humor.
On the BUILD Series, she said:
“Even the most beautiful, thinnest people I know are like, ‘I hate my body.’ So why do we want to hate ourselves? I decided to love myself, and from there, I could try to be healthier.”
This dual focus on self-acceptance and better habits became central to her message.
She didn’t strive for perfection, but rather for wellness and balance in a way that felt sustainable and real.
In her comedy, she continues to tackle these topics head-on, making audiences laugh while subtly encouraging them to embrace their own journeys.
Fortune Feimster’s Weight Loss Is More Than a Transformation
While headlines may focus on Fortune Feimster’s weight loss, her evolution goes far beyond the scale.
Since coming out in 2005, she’s navigated Hollywood as a proud LGBTQ+ entertainer, performed on stages around the world, and starred in numerous shows, including The Mindy Project and Champions.
Her Netflix specials have earned critical acclaim for blending personal storytelling with punchline-packed humor.
In 2020, she married Smith in a small ceremony, though the couple recently announced their decision to separate in June 2025.
Despite personal ups and downs, Feimster remains grounded, frequently traveling back to her hometown of Belmont, where she even bought a house near the Catawba River.
