The world of celebrities is one full of pressures, expectations and pressures that can easily snowball into a mental health issue. With body image and self-perception playing a huge part in the industry, it’s no wonder that many stars suffer from eating disorders. However, there are plenty of celebrities who have overcome their struggles with disordered eating and are now sharing their stories to inspire others. In this article, we’ll be looking at the inspirational stories of five celebrities who have shown strength and courage to overcome eating disorders.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is one of the most recognisable icons in the world. She has always been one to proudly push boundaries, but her journey with body image, mental health, and disordered eating has been a stormy one. In a 2017 documentary about her career and life, Gaga shared that she has lived with an eating disorder since she was 15. After a prolonged struggle, she eventually beat her eating disorder and since has been vocal about the importance of seeking professional help and the power of self-love.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato is one of the most inspirational voices in the industry and a beacon of light for so many people. She revealed in a documentary about her life in 2017 that she was diagnosed with an eating disorder at the tender age of 8. Throughout her career and personal life, Lovato has been vocal about her past struggles with bulimia and anorexia and has become an advocate for mental health and body positivity.
Zayn Malik
This much-loved One Direction star has been vocal about his battle with anorexia nervosa in the past. In 2011, he told The Sun that at his “lowest point,” he weighed just 122 pounds. He opened up about his struggles again during an interview with British Vogue in 2018, and explained that he was getting back into shape and recovering by regularly going to the gym and having meals with friends.
Dove Cameron
This Disney star has admitted to struggling with anorexia in the past. In an Instagram Live with her fans, Cameron opened up about her struggles and explained that it had happened at a time when she was struggling to find her place in the industry. Since then, she has embraced her body and learned to love herself. She has also been an advocate for breaking the stigma on mental health issues, body image and eating disorders.
Selena Gomez
The former Disney star has been very open about her struggles with an eating disorder in the past. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Gomez revealed that she was diagnosed with an eating disorder when she was 18, and that it was a battle she had to fight for many years. She finally overcame it and has since been a champion for self-care and loving yourself.
Eating disorders are serious mental health issues, so it’s refreshing to hear about celebrities who have been brave enough to overcome their disorders. Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Zayn Malik, Dove Cameron and Selena Gomez are just a few of the celebrities who have been open about their struggles, and they are important examples of how you can come out the other side. Mental health matters, so if you feel like you’re struggling, remember you are not alone and there is help available.