Travolta Happy To Be Groped On Movie Set
John Travolta wore his padding proudly as 300-pound mom Edna Turnblad in the new movie musical "Hairspray."
"I'm a voluptuous gal," he said on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Wednesday night. "I based it on these gals I liked growing up, you know like Jayne Mansfield and Anita Ekberg and Sofia Loren."
"I like those big figures," he continued, making the shape of an hour glass with his hands. "I thought if I have to play a woman, I wanna play one like that — but with 300 pounds added."
An amused Letterman asked Travolta how other cast members reacted to him on the set.
"They forgot it was me under there, Dave, for God's sake. They were feeling my breasts and my ass and I was a slut about it. I gave it up."
Photos: New York's Mane Event: "Hairspray" Premiere
The audience applauded that comment.
"I did! I didn't care, Dave," he said.
"What about your self esteem?" Letterman asked, laughing.
"Screw it," laughed Travolta.
"You just wanted to be popular," Letterman observed.
"Hairspray" opens on Friday.
By Judy Faber