Lily Collins has candidly revealed that publicly discussing her personal battle with an eating disorder stands as 'one of the most terrifying but rewarding experiences of my life.' The 36-year-old actress, renowned for her role in 'Emily in Paris,' has been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, particularly during Eating Disorder Awareness Month.
From Personal Struggle to Public Advocacy
Collins has previously detailed her intense struggles with an eating disorder throughout her teenage years. She has admitted that a pivotal motivation for seeking help was her deep-seated desire to start a family in the future, recognising that her health was paramount for that dream.
Her professional and personal journeys converged when she portrayed a young woman grappling with anorexia in the 2017 Netflix film To The Bone. In a recent Instagram post commemorating Eating Disorder Awareness Month, Collins emphasised that her own recovery remains an 'ongoing' process.
A Message of Hope and Solidarity
Sharing behind-the-scenes images from To The Bone, Lily Collins wrote a heartfelt caption. 'I want to take a moment to acknowledge Eating Disorder Awareness Week, supported by @neda, an organisation doing lifesaving work,' she began.
'As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder – and was able to tell the story of so many others like me through my character in To The Bone – I've always advocated for more awareness and understanding surrounding eating disorders so no one has to struggle in silence or shame.'
She elaborated on the nature of recovery, stating, 'Recovering looks different for everyone and is an ongoing process, but through the help of organisations like @neda and films like To The Bone, I've learned to connect with others who share similar experiences and feel less alone.'
The Driving Force Behind Her Recovery
In past interviews, Collins has opened up about the roots of her disorder, linking it to a quest for control during the tumultuous years of high school and early relationships. 'When I was younger, I wanted to reach this image of what I thought perfection was,' she told Harper's Bazaar in 2017.
'I equated that with – well, with what you see in the media; you think body shape has a lot to do with being perfect. Then, as I grew older, I realised that perfection doesn't exist and my priorities have shifted because I want a family one day.'
This realisation became a crucial turning point. 'I don't want these self-imposed issues to affect whether or not I can have kids – because the reality is you can't have children when you're ill like that,' she explained.
Living with Recovery, Not Defined by It
The Love, Rosie star has been clear that she is 'still in recovery' and continues to 'exist' with the history of her eating disorder. However, she powerfully asserts that it does not 'control' her life anymore. Her advocacy is deeply personal; she told US Weekly that her decision to finally seek help was intimately tied to her future aspirations.
'Everyone has a different form of recovery,' she noted. 'I never had an "aha" moment. My reason to finally start talking about [my eating disorder] was the moment I realised I wanted a family. I wanted kids. I didn’t want this to be something I bring into that.'
This hope was beautifully realised last year when Lily Collins and her filmmaker husband, Charlie McDowell, 41, welcomed a baby daughter named Tove Jane via surrogate.
Collins concludes her powerful message with a resonant call to action: 'Speaking out and opening up about my history with eating disorders was and is one of the most terrifying but rewarding experiences of my life. If every time I share my story it helps even one person on their recovery journey, it is beyond worth it.'
