Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Jameela Jamil Shares a Powerful Post About Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia: ‘I Was So Weak’
Speaking her truth. Jameela Jamil took to Twitter on Friday, December 20, to share a powerful message about the reality of living with an eating disorder.
“This was a sad day 10 years ago,” the actress, 33, captioned a photo of herself at London Fashion Week in September 2009. “I didn’t want to go to the event because I was convinced that I was ‘too fat’ and that I would be publicly fat-shamed the next day. I was so weak, I only managed to stay for 10 minutes. Eating disorders/body dysmorphia are so wild. I missed my teens and 20s.”
“The therapy I used to help me was called EMDR. It works faster so it was much cheaper,” Jameela wrote in a follow-up tweet. “CBT didn’t work for me, personally. So, if it doesn’t work for you, try EMDR. It’s free in some countries. I’m thankful to the brilliant ‘I WEIGH’ community for helping my recovery. Love you.”
I WEIGH is a movement Jameela started in March 2018 that celebrates body positivity. According to the official Instagram page, it’s about “radical inclusivity, so that no one feels alone,” adding that their job is to “amplify, advocate and pass the mic.” Since its inception, several celebrities have worked with the progressive brand, including Sam Smith.
“I had more estrogen than many boys did in my chest … Yeah, I had breasts. I fully had breasts,” the 27-year-old recounted to Jameela in March. “I had liposuction. At 12 years old, I had liposuction. [A one-day] operation, and it was a big thing.” The “Dancing With a Stranger” singer went on to explain how the surgery affected their self-esteem.
“At the time, I think I was very happy about it. It didn’t really change anything. I think I put the weight back on in a few weeks because I hadn’t figured out my relationship with food,” they said. “So, it didn’t really change anything, but being 12 years old and having liposuction in your chest is quite a big deal.”
We continue to champion people like Jameela and Sam for using their platform to make others feel less alone!
Can’t get enough celebrity content? Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun, exclusive videos with your favorite stars!
