Chrissy Metz reacts to Chris Sullivan's 'This is Us' fat suit

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Chrissy Metz says she's okay with Chris Sullivan's This is Us fat suit.

The 36-year-old actress defended Sullivan, also 36, on Thursday's episode of Watch What Happens Live following news the actor wears a fat suit to play Toby on the NBC series.

"We tested a lot of gentlemen who were bigger, and I get it -- people think the authenticity is kind of ruined by that. But Chris has been heavier, so I think he understands the plight of being overweight," Metz told host Andy Cohen.

"He was the best man for the job," she asserted. "People wear prosthetics all the time. This happens to be weight, as opposed to, like, a nose or a chin."

This is Us star Susan Kelechi Watson had told Us Weekly in January that Sullivan wears a fat suit on the show after he was spotted looking much slimmer off set. Metz herself wore a fat suit to portray Barbara on American Horror Story: Freak Show.

"I wore a very large couch, basically, [a] prosthetic suit," the actress confirmed to Cohen. "It's just kind of the name of the game."

Metz, who plays Kate on This is Us, has addressed weight-related issues in several recent interviews. She denied in the Feb. 20 issue of People that she will have gastric bypass surgery, but confirmed she would like to shed some pounds.

"I do want to lose weight," the star said. "I want to have a fit, healthy body and not have to be put in a box. I don't want to be limited by anything."

This is Us premiered in September and airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET. The series co-stars Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Justin Hartley and Ron Cephas Jones.