Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale just revealed in Cosmopolitan's latest issue that she's struggled with an eating disorder before. A difficult topic to speak about to say the least, coming forward about her past definitely should be an inspiration to many other girls and guys out there.
"I've never really talked about this, but I would go days without eating," she says. "Or maybe I'd have some fruit and then go to the gym for three hours. I knew I had a problem...It was a gradual process but I changed myself." The actress doesn't go into detail about it, but one can't help but think Hollywood's push on a certain image could have had something to do with it.
Here's 10 other female celebrities that have admitted to having an eating disorder:
1. Paula Abdul
On June 19, 1995, the once American Idol judge's story was featured on the front cover of People. After battling bulimia, she finally decided to admit herself into a clinic in 1994.
2. Alanis Morisette
In 2011, the singer discussed her struggles on her iVillage.com blog. "There are often traumas and abuses/neglect that are begging to be healed. Fat can be a way to protect ourselves and survive, a way to control something in a world where everything feels out of control, and a way to stave off profound fear of feeling our feelings. I often find anxiety, fear, boredom, disappointment, loneliness, excitement and grief to be the top feelings food can attempt to prevent," she wrote. She had issues with both anorexia and bulimia as a teen and said her problem with food came from wanting to hide her feelings.
3. Mary Kate Olsen
After much scrutiny from the media on her skinny frame, the Olsen twin decided to admit herself into an undisclosed facility just before her 18th birthday. "This is a challenge that Mary-Kate has made a decision to face," said her rep Michael Pagnotta at the time to People. "This is a challenge she will meet."
4. Tracy Gold
The Growing Pains actress has always been very vocal about her struggles with food. During her time with the Seaver's she put on some weight and was later asked to lose it. Years later she would go on to tell Access Hollywood, "I got all these compliments and accolades…and it really kind of messed with my head." Her lowest weight went down to 79 and she even had to leave the show at one point to be hospitalized. Since then she's gotten a lot healthier and even came out with a new Lifetime series Starving Secrets with Tracey Gold in 2011 to help others.
5. Snooki
Snooki's eating problems didn't surface until her Jersey Shore costar Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino said that she basically had enough rolls already...while she was about to eat a roll at dinner. She later told The Insider that she wouldn't eat all that much in high school. "I would only have lunch, and I would only have salads. It got so crazy that I would only eat a cracker or a cucumber a day and I would feel full."
6. Portia de Rossi
In 2010, Portia discussed her eating disorder to Oprah while promoting her new book "Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain." The book itself chronicled her struggles with food. "It was very cathartic for me to write," she said. "It was very difficult for me to write. There were a lot of tears shed on that keyboard." One of de Rossi's lowest moments was weighing in at 82 pounds because of a 300-calorie-per-day intake.
7. Justine Bateman
Jason Bateman's older sister never seemed to keep her struggles a secret, but she did go on to detail her experience to Entertainment Weekly in 1996. "I realized I was an anorexic, a bulimic, and a compulsive overeater," she said. "I needed a concept of God that worked for me, and I wound up giving my life to Jesus Christ." During the worst of it, the Family Ties actress signed up for a 12-step program.
8. Lily Allen
The beautiful singer that's rumored to be pregnant with her second child admitted during her documentary Riches to Rags. "I used to vomit after meals. It's not something I'm proud of. A lot of people came up to me telling me how great I looked and I'd be on the cover of every magazine...But I wasn't happy."
9. Jamie-Lynn Sigler
The Sopranos beauty opened up to CNN in 2005 about her fight with bulimia. "Knowing that I was able to overcome it and be healthy and happy again is amazing." The actress is now a spokeswoman for the National Eating Disorders Association.
10. Geri Halliwell
Many Spice Girls fans may have not known it at the time, but Ginger Spice was dealing with bulimia. "It's not really about food or the body shape. It's just a way of dealing or coping with life...I really feel that what's helped me is talking about it with other people who share the same addiction," she explained in 2003.
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[People]
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