Emma Stone: ‘Keeping weight on is a struggle for me, especially under stress’
I’ve been wary of discussing Emma Stone’s weight loss for several reasons. For one, I don’t want to sound concern-trolly (although I am concerned). Two, Emma has been dealing with some family stuff for months, and I think that’s been taking a toll. Now, all that being said, I’ve watched some of the interviews she’s done lately (especially the Graham Norton one) and her thinness has made me wince when she’s in motion. So, Emma did something I wish more people would do: she talks about how the “thin” criticisms affect her and why it’s difficult for her to put on weight (and she doesn’t sound full of it):
Emma Stone on dealing with haters…
“Sometimes it’s really easy to shrug it off and other times, things have pinched more. I think most of us are like that, right? Someone lobs a snide remark your way, and sometimes you can laugh about it, while other times you can actually feel the sting. I’m actively working hard on learning to appreciate yourself no matter what. If what someone else says can easily derail you, it means your sense of self isn’t that firmly established in the first place. It’s an inside job. You’re beautiful and worthy and totally unique. People insult each other based on their own insecurities—even though it may feel personal, it really never is. Really. Seriously.”Emma Stone on body confidence…
“It can be really challenging in today’s world for anyone—especially girls and women—to feel good about their bodies. No matter how things look from the outside, we can all be super critical of ourselves and of our image in the mirror. I’ve seen articles or comments that have addressed my weight, or ‘caving to pressure to be thin.’ Keeping weight on is a struggle for me— especially when I’m under stress, and especially as I’ve gotten older. That’s the way my genes have decided to go, and things will change as time goes on, as does everything. So when completely untrue statements are made about me or my health, of course a part of me wants to defend. Thing is, people have a right to imagine what they want to imagine. My job at those moments is to tell myself the truth. Am I taking care of myself in a healthy way? Am I respecting myself and being responsible? And over and over, I answer yes to that question. Then I remind myself to be kind to myself, and as slightly ridiculous as it may sound, to treat myself in the same gentle way I’d want to treat a daughter of mine. It really helps.”Emma Stone on what makes her feel powerful…
“Wanting something, putting all my energy toward it, working hard and following through. New things I never knew I could do. Commitment. Making somebody laugh—there’s no better feeling than that.”
I like that she says, “Thing is, people have a right to imagine what they want to imagine.” It’s not always hyper-criticism or concern-trolling when some people are just making statements rather than judgments and either way, people are going to make statements/judgments about how people look. I think Emma is telling the truth about how difficult it’s been for her to put weight on and how stress affects her weight. That happens. Some people hit the cupcakes when they’re under stress. Some people lose their appetites. I like this too: “I remind myself… to treat myself in the same gentle way I’d want to treat a daughter of mine.” That’s an excellent way to deal with it.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
