Melissa McCarthy believes drag culture has played a "big part" in her success.

The 53-year-old actress has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in movie such as 'Bridesmaids' and 'St. Vincent', and Melissa has now claimed that drug culture has helped to catapult her towards stardom.

During an upcoming appearance on 'RuPaul's Drag Race!' - which has been shared with PEOPLE - Melissa says: "Drag is a big part of why I have a career. I was going to drag shows when I shouldn't have been and it literally gave me the courage to get on the stage.

"I started in drag. I starred in a big old red wig called Miss Y."

Melissa has also voiced her support for the drag community more broadly.

Speaking about the rights of the community, she said: "It's important and fight for it because it's worth it."

Last year, Melissa admitted to admiring people who are comfortable in their own skin.

The Hollywood star acknowledged that self-acceptance can be hard to find in the modern world.

She told the Observer newspaper: "I guess it’s because everything we’re sold is about perfection - are you making your own organic baby food? Are you milling your own gluten-free flour? So, I have a true love and obsession for someone who’s just like - this is me."

Melissa actually finds it energising to spend time with people who are self-accepting.

The actress - who is married to actor Ben Falcone - said: "I get a true rush of joy when I can tell someone’s living just as they want. Somebody who’s, like, really rocking their life, I want to be in their glow for a few minutes. It recharges my batteries."