Lili Reinhart has taken to Twitter to share how she’s struggled with her body image growing up in the spotlight.
This morning, the Riverdale star was tagged in a tweet by a fan who asked if she thinks the hit show conveys unrealistic body image expectations, since the cast is stacked with “perfectly chiseled bodies.”
Never one to shy away from difficult conversations, Lili responded to the fan saying she definitely doesn’t have a perfectly chiseled body. “Actually, not everyone on this show is perfectly chiseled,” she wrote. “And even I feel intimidated by the physique of my surrounding cast mates sometimes when I have to do bra/underwear scenes. I’ve felt very insecure due to the expectation that people have for women on tv, what they should [look like.]“
She then went on to say that feeling insecure with her body is something she struggles with “on a daily basis,” especially right now as she’s heavier than normal due to a bout of depression.
This is still something I struggle with on a daily basis. And it doesn’t help when I’m being compared to other women. I have gained weight due to depression the last two months and I’ve felt very insecure about it. But I did a recent bra and underwear scene and felt it was my—
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) February 6, 2020
Lili has been very public about her battle with mental health over the years. In February 2019, she posted a series of Instagram stories sharing that she struggles with anxiety and depression and had re-entered therapy. She frequently uses her platform to advocate against the stigma and encourages her followers to seek help if they need it.
The actress finished her response by tweeting that despite feeling insecure at times, she wants other women to look at her body on TV and feel comfortable that she’s not a perfect hour-glass shape or a size 0. She acknowledges the importance of seeing “normal” bodies in Hollywood and recognizes the need for more diversity of size.
This industry struggles with accurate representation of female and male bodies. So I commend the women who have helped our industry take a step in the right ~and authentic~ direction. (Charli Howard being my favorite role model)
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) February 6, 2020
She gives a shoutout to women who are breaking size barriers in the entertainment industry, specifically model and body-activist Charli Howard who she calls her “favorite role model.”
Lili Reinhart just out here spitting truths.
We can’t help by stan.