Holly Willoughby has revealed she felt insecure about her body growing up in the 1990s, particularly due to her 'big bottom'. The former This Morning star, now 45, made the candid admission on her new YouTube show, Together, which launched last month.
During a conversation with comedian Joanne McNally, while trying on pink tracksuits, Holly discussed the pressure to conform to beauty standards of the era, when supermodel Kate Moss epitomized the 'waif' look.
Growing Up in the 'Kate Moss Waif' Era
Holly admitted that the nineties were 'not her friend' in terms of body image. She said: "We grew up in a time of Kate Moss waif, so that was not my friend growing up." Joanne, 43, recalled: "I remember having any curves was just the most horrifying thing." Holly agreed: "Yeah it was."
Explaining her preference for clothes that accentuate her waist, Holly said: "I want to show my waist because that’s the smallest bit because my bum is big." Joanne insisted Holly had the "perfect figure," but Holly countered: "No I do not, I do not."
Past Comments on Appearance
In a 2018 interview with Prima magazine, Holly said she avoids focusing too much on her appearance, as it's "not the most important thing." She added: "I don’t want to encourage eating disorders. I try not to focus too much on my appearance. As long as I’m being healthy, that’s good enough for me. I’m quite active and I try not to let the way I look be the main focus because it’s not the important thing."
Kate Moss and the 'Heroin Chic' Movement
Kate Moss became synonymous with the 'waif' era of the 1990s, later facing backlash for her comment: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." She admitted that mothers of girls would shout at her in the street, but insisted she was naturally skinny and meant no harm. However, eating disorder campaigners accused her of promoting unhealthy body standards, as she became a defining figure of the 'heroin chic' movement.
