Lili Reinhart, known for her role as Betty Cooper on the CW series Riverdale, recently revealed in an interview with Self Magazine that she developed an eating disorder during the filming of season six. Reinhart, 28, has been candid about her struggles with body dysmorphia in the past, but this is the first time she has publicly discussed her experience with an eating disorder.
Reinhart confessed that her disordered eating significantly impacted her work on set. She admitted feeling disassociated during filming, with her internal dialogue consumed by anxieties about her changing body. “I really don’t like looking at season six imagery or pictures, because I know that 99% of my thoughts were about my body,” she told Self Magazine. “I was a thousand percent just disassociated through that entire day or scene because my entire inner dialogue is just … ‘Your body’s changing.’” This constant preoccupation with her body made it difficult for her to focus on her work and be present in the moment.
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This recent disclosure builds upon Reinhart’s previous discussions about her mental health, including her battles with body dysmorphia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In a September 2023 social media post, she criticized the media’s portrayal of thinness as the ideal body type, expressing her frustration with the pressure this puts on women. She shared that her own body dysmorphia was intensified by this societal pressure, leading to obsessive thoughts about her appearance.
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“I wish there were more average-sized arms represented in mainstream media for women,” Reinhart wrote on X (formerly Twitter). She highlighted the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by media and the detrimental effects they can have on women’s self-esteem. Reinhart emphasized that her intention in sharing her struggles was to create a sense of solidarity with other women experiencing similar challenges. She wanted to reassure them that they are not alone in their feelings of insecurity and body image concerns.
Reinhart has also been vocal about body positivity, calling out instances of photoshopping and harmful pregnancy rumors that have circulated about her. In 2018, she criticized Cosmopolitan Philippines for altering photos of her and co-star Camila Mendes to appear thinner. She also addressed hurtful pregnancy rumors that arose after unflattering photos of her were published.
While acknowledging that her journey towards self-acceptance is ongoing, Reinhart expressed gratitude for her body and its resilience. “My body has carried me through 25 years of life,” she wrote on X. “All my scars, tears, trauma…I wish I could love it more, even when it doesn’t look like it did when I was 20. But I am trying. I know my body deserves equal love and admiration at any size.” Reinhart’s openness about her struggles with an eating disorder and body image issues provides a valuable platform for raising awareness and promoting conversations about mental health in the entertainment industry and beyond. For further information and support regarding eating disorders, resources are available at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website.
