Helen Hunt Reflects on Struggles with Body Image
After many years in the limelight, Helen Hunt has come to terms with Hollywood’s often unrealistic beauty standards. In a recent interview, the 61-year-old actress opened up about the feelings of “miserability and shame” that plagued her early in her career regarding her appearance. She explained how she decided to move past these expectations.
“It felt impossible not to internalize the way you were supposed to see,” Hunt shared. “There was a level of misery and shame about not seeing it that way.” She emphasized realizing that this kind of mindset could quietly take over your life. Ultimately, she chose not to let these thoughts occupy too much mental space.
Influenced by a book titled “The Only Diet” by spiritual leader Sondrarei, Hunt adopted a more positive approach towards food and body image. “What resonated with me was the idea to eat what you want and enjoy every bite,” she mentioned.
Hunt isn’t alone in discussing the pressures of being a young star. Christina Applegate recently revealed her own struggles during her time on “Married…with Children,” where the expectations to appear beautiful led her to develop an eating disorder. The 53-year-old actress spoke candidly about how the character she played was a reflection of her inner spirit, yet the pressure was immense.
“Yes, I started having a pretty bad eating disorder during that long-running show,” Applegate admitted. She kept this struggle a secret for a long time, describing it as “very, very private.” She recalled eating in hiding, feeling embarrassed about being seen while consuming food, especially when traveling. “I remember sneaking away to eat just one shrimp because I was terrified of being judged for my weight,” she said, revealing how deep the struggle went.
During her conversation, Applegate shared that her on-screen mother, Katey Sagal, was aware of her challenges, stating, “I kept everything so close to my chest.” She acknowledged that many difficult moments went unnoticed by others.
