British actor Sam Claflin has spoken candidly about his struggles with body dysmorphia, describing the constant pressure to maintain a certain physical image in Hollywood as 'chaotic in my head'. The 39-year-old, known for roles in The Hunger Games and Peaky Blinders, said the issue has affected him deeply throughout his career.
In an interview with The Standard, Claflin reflected on his appearance on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, where he first opened up about the topic. He explained that the industry's focus on looks left him feeling insecure on set and unable to believe compliments. 'I never really believed anything that other people were thinking,' he said. 'It was chaotic in my head.'
Claflin said he realised he needed to step back from social media and develop better self-talk rather than relying on others' opinions. He emphasised that the struggle with self-image is universal, affecting people beyond the entertainment industry. 'I feel like there are... you struggle with self-belief or confidence,' he added.
Previously, Claflin told Variety that the expectation for male actors to have six-pack abs contributed to his body dysmorphia. 'There’s this Hollywood assumption that it’s the men with the six packs who sell the movie,' he said. 'As a result, I developed a form of body dysmorphia.'
