Lily Collins shared that being open about her eating disorder has been an "overwhelming yet fulfilling" experience. The 36-year-old star of "Emily in Paris" revealed that her recovery from anorexia is an "ongoing journey," while raising awareness in a recent Instagram post that emphasizes, "no one has to struggle in silence or shame."
In a candid and heartfelt post, Lily shared her reflections on her journey with an eating disorder as part of an awareness-raising campaign by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). The "Mirror Mirror" star, who first opened up about her struggles after portraying a young woman's role suffering from the same disorder in the 2017 film "To the Bone," began by acknowledging Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
"I couldn't handle the pain and confusion surrounding my dad's divorce, and I was having a hard time balancing being a teenager with pursuing two different grown-up careers - both of which I'd chosen myself, but which also focused heavily on how I looked," she noted of her acting and modeling career.
Lily continued, "Eating was no longer a fun social event, but instead a chore and a punishment. I was exhausted and irritable all the time. I wasn't much fun to be around. But my plan was working! I was in control! I was skinny!"
Reflecting on her role as a college student with anorexia in the 2017 drama, she wrote, "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."
"Recovery looks different for everyone and is an ongoing process, but through the help of organizations like NEDA and films like 'To The Bone,' I've learned to connect with others who share similar experiences and feel less alone," she added.
Admitting that speaking out about her struggle has been "one of the most terrifying yet rewarding" experiences, Lily concluded that if her story could even help one person, it would be "more than worth it."
