Lili Reinhart got candid about depression weight gain and the pressure of TV underwear scenes
Lili Reinhart has always been honest about her mental health journey, but now, she’s opening up even more about her struggles with depression. The actress, best known for her role as teen sleuth Betty Cooper on Riverdale, just wrote a candid response to a fan on Twitter who posed a question about body image to Reinhart. E! News reports that the since-deleted tweet asked Reinhart how the Riverdale cast feels about playing teens with such chiseled physiques, and the 23-year-old revealed that she actually often feels insecure around her castmates.
It’s no secret that the majority of the male cast of Riverdale are chiseled, to say the least. But Reinhart noted that the muscular physique of her fellow actors can take a toll on her confidence.
She began the Twitter thread by saying, "Actually, not everyone on this show is perfectly chiseled. 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."
Actually, not everyone on this show is perfectly chiseled. 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- https://t.co/9ISUBkgrKl
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) February 6, 2020
Reinhart then revealed that she has recently gained weight due to depression, and it has her feeling insecure in her body.
She noted how the frequent unfair comparisons that flood women in the entertainment industry amplify her insecurities.
"But I have come to terms with my body and that I’m not the kind of person you would see walking on a runway during fashion week. I have bigger boobs, I have cellulite on my thighs/butt, and my stomach sticks out rather than curves in. 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."
look like. But I have come to terms with my body and that I’m not the kind of person you would see walking on a runway during fashion week. I have bigger boobs, I have cellulite on my thighs/butt, and my stomach sticks out rather than curves in.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) February 6, 2020
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
The bra and underwear scene that Reinhart is referring to was during the Riverdale Season 3 finale, which aired on May 15th, 2019. The actress stood alongside costars Camila Mendes and KJ Apa during the scene.
"I did a recent bra and underwear scene and felt it was my obligation to be strong and show confidence in myself, looking as I do. And I want other young women to see my body on tv and feel comfort in the fact that I’m not a size 0. And I’m not a perfect hourglass shape.
Obligation to be strong and show confidence in myself, looking as I do. And I want other young women to see my body on tv and feel comfort in the fact that I’m not a size 0. And I’m not a perfect hourglass shape.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) February 6, 2020
Reinhart concluded by commending women who are helping the entertainment industry move in the right direction, toward inclusiveness and authenticity.
"This industry struggles with accurate representation of female and male bodies," she wrote. "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)"
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
We too, commend women and men who are working to create a nonjudgmental space in the entertainment industry. Reinhart opening up about her struggles and the unfair pressures is another step in the right direction.
