Brittany Snow Reflects on Leaving Hollywood
Brittany Snow believes stepping away from Hollywood was crucial for her well-being. In a recent chat with Self magazine for their November cover story, the 39-year-old actress shared that she walked away from acting at 23, stating it was a matter of life and death for her.
Having achieved notable success in films like “The Pacifier” and “Hairspray,” as well as TV shows including “Guiding Light” and “American Dream,” Snow’s personal struggles were less visible. Behind the scenes, she was fighting an eating disorder.
“It’s almost unbelievable that I’m here today. I really don’t want to exaggerate,” she reflected on her decision to leave the industry.
Snow’s journey began when she first entered rehab at 19, but she truly opened up about her struggles in a 2006 essay while working on “John Tucker Must Die.” She detailed her nine-year battle with anorexia in a 2007 piece.
Recalling a particularly tough time during her second stint in rehab, Snow mentioned a fellow patient who threatened to disclose her story to the media. After leaving rehab, she engaged in a year-long outpatient program with her parents’ support, which included therapy sessions, classes, and mandatory check-ins.
“I realized that in rehab, I often depended on being in a controlled environment,” she explained. “But once I was out, having to navigate social situations like dinners and gatherings where others were eating— it was overwhelming.” She noted that redirecting her mindset to trust herself became pivotal in her recovery.
Her return to Hollywood came in 2012 with “Pitch Perfect,” a film she felt deeply grateful to be a part of, especially considering she had feared she might never work again.
Recently, she starred in Netflix’s “The Hunting Wives,” where she plays Sophie, who moves to a small Texas town and develops a romantic relationship with Margo, portrayed by Malin Akerman. Their friendship quickly evolves, leading to several intimate scenes.
Despite her past battles with an eating disorder, Snow mentioned that filming nude scenes doesn’t affect her mindset regarding her body. She observed that in many sex scenes, men often focus more on themselves rather than their partner’s comfort. However, she appreciated Akerman’s considerate approach during their scenes.
The series has done remarkably well, attracting 5.2 million views within its first week. In September, Snow and Akerman announced a second season on Instagram, playfully confirming, “Oh, it’s official… ‘Wives of the Hunt: Season 2’ is coming, folks!!”
Ackerman recently shared that the second season is expected to premiere in summer 2026, with preparations already underway.
In addition to “The Hunting Wives,” Snow has roles in Hulu’s “Murdough: Death in the Family” and Netflix’s “The Beast in Me,” set to be released on November 13th.
