Melanie Lynskey's Eating Disorder Recovery Is Nothing Short Of Inspiring
Melanie Lynskey, an actor with an undeniable presence, has been a fan favorite due to her versatility, emotional depth, and incredible performances. The complete evolution of Lynskey propelled her from being an indie darling to a celebrated figure in the world of entertainment. Lynskey's journey to stardom began with her breakout role as Pauline Parker in Peter Jackson's critically acclaimed psychological drama film, "Heavenly Creatures," where she delivered a captivating performance that earned her widespread recognition and accolades. Although she starred alongside Kate Winslet in the film, her ability to convey complex emotions with raw authenticity showcased her immense talent and marked the beginning of a remarkable career.
Unbeknownst to many, she'd been hiding a secret from the public. Behind the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, Lynskey was silently suffering from an eating disorder. She used to practice unhealthy eating habits that eventually took a toll on her body. Thankfully, an ex-boyfriend stepped in, helping her work on giving up her restrictive diet, which ultimately transformed her life. With inspiring candor, Lynskey has shared her journey of healing. She has been openly talking about her past experiences that seek to dispel the stigma surrounding eating disorders. This revelation served as a powerful reminder that disorders do not discriminate based on success, beauty, or talent.
Meeting someone who cared so much helped her overcome her disorder
Melanie Lynskey said that her eating disorder started when she was only twelve years old. She grew up with a mother that had issues with food and was anorexic. Lynskey's relationship with food worsened when she turned sixteen years old after her breakout role in the film "Heavenly Creatures." She was really immersed in staying thin until she met someone who cared about her too much. She told Vulture, "I met a boyfriend, Andrew Howard, who helped me so much with my eating disorder on the set of 'The Cherry Orchard.' The closest thing I've had to an intervention was when I was living with him, and he got really intense about my eating issues."
She further revealed that her then-boyfriend started checking her eating lifestyle and told her she needed to eat better because she was so thin. But she brushed him off, recalling that "Of course, in my mind, I thought he was nuts. I'd never had anybody care that much." Good thing she was able to see that he was just concerned and she started changing her eating habits for the better.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
Lynskey wanted to set a good example for women
While the world often scrutinizes and judges appearances, Melanie Lynskey no longer wanted to conform to the norm. The "Yellowjackets" star has emerged as an advocate for body positivity and self–acceptance. She has taken a stand against the pervasive body shaming culture that plagues the entertainment industry and beyond.
Lynskey told IndieWire, "I'm trying to just say to myself, 'OK, you're normalizing this, and hopefully more women will come along who look like you, and people won't feel like they have to say things like that,' because there is kind of a backhanded compliment," adding, "Sometimes, I get tired of hearing about my body, even when it is positive, I just, you know, feel like I need a break from thinking about it and hearing about it and I think all women feel that way."
Lynskey was able to accept her body because of the support of her husband Jason Ritter. "Sometimes, my husband will tweet things about thinking I look hot or whatever and a lot of people like it . . . " as she explained to IndieWire, but not all responses are positive. "People get excited because I look like I look, and my husband, he's like a cute, young actor . . . some of the responses to him are like, 'Good for you.' It's like, well, he got together with me because he found me attractive." She knows what to do when being fat shamed by strangers — ignore them.