Washington, Mar 3 (.) Hollywood star Lily Collins has reflected on the deeply emotional journey of publicly sharing her battle with an eating disorder, describing the decision as “one of the most terrifying but rewarding” experiences of her life.
Nearly a decade after first opening up, the actress marked Eating Disorder Awareness Week by revisiting the impact of telling her story, both personally and professionally.
In an Instagram story, the Emily in Paris actor stressed the importance of awareness and support for those facing similar struggles.
“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,” she wrote.
Collins portrayed a young woman seeking treatment for anorexia in the 2017 Netflix drama To The Bone, a role she has previously described as profoundly personal. She noted that organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) play a crucial role in supporting recovery, calling their work “lifesaving.”
“Recovery looks different for everyone and is an ongoing process,” she wrote, adding, “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.”
The actress, who welcomed daughter Tove Jane via surrogate last year with husband Charlie McDowell, first detailed her struggles with anorexia and bulimia in her 2017 memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. She has shared that her eating disorder began at age 16 following her father Phil Collins’s divorce from stepmother Orianne Cevey.
Reflecting on accepting the role in To The Bone, Collins previously said the film became part of her healing journey.
“It was like the universe kind of putting these things in my sphere to help me face, kind of dead on, a fear that I used to have,” she said in an interview, as quoted by E! News.
Despite the emotional toll, she described the experience as liberating. “Chilled to the bone but feeling so free,” she wrote in a 2017 Instagram post, as quoted by E! News, adding, “Owning my past, being open, and having no shame or regrets about my experiences… Remember, you are never ever alone.”
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