The media definitely loves to cover celebrities who have battled eating disorders. It could be through tabloids, interviews, or even documentaries. There are so many speculations these days that the media practically paints any thin star as a poster-child for Anorexia Nervosa. But check out this list of celebrities who have battled eating disorders to see some real faces of fighters.
1 Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter is one of the most well-known celebrities who have battled eating disorders. This famous singer seemed to have it all: a loving family, a successful career, and the world on her side. After years of struggling, Karen died in February 1983 of heart failure caused by her eating disorder. The film “The Karen Carpenter Story” tells her story of distortions and death. It was a huge shame to lose this singer. She was truly talented and a remarkable woman.
2 Tracy Gold
“Growing Pains” actress Tracy Gold battled an eating disorder for years. Her memoir “Room To Grow: An Appetite For Life” talks about her experience and recovery. She starred in the film “For The Love Of Nancy,” a film about an anorexic college student and her recovery. Gold took control of the film and wanted to make the movie authentic to the disorder, not to the media’s misconceptions of it.
Portia de Rossi made her fame on the 90s hit show “Ally McBeal.” Continuing to rise through her acting and August 2008 marriage to comedian Ellen DeGenerous, Portia overcame her eating disorder. She talks in her memoir “Unbearable Lightness: A Story Of Loss And Gain” about the challenges of being a closeted actress, the stresses of daily life under her disorder’s dictator voice and the role her disorder played on her relationships. I find her story empowering and courageous. She is one of my favorite celebs.
4 Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has to be one of my favorite people in the world. Her struggle with Bulimia Nervosa and other mental illnesses has become an inspiration for millions, teaching them to speak up and recover. Love is indeed louder than the pressure to be perfect. She created a documentary “Stay Strong” about her life now and her history. I’ve had the privilege of seeing Demi in concert and can attest that she offers support and encouragement for anyone struggling, instilling in them that they are worth the fight to recovery.
5 Ke$ha
Recently, tabloids have been having a field day with the affairs of Ke$ha and her family. The star entered treatment for her eating disorder at the start of this year. What’s more shocking, her mother followed, entering treatment herself for PTSD. With all the chaos in this family, I just hope that Ke$ha can take care and dedicate herself to recovery. Our thoughts go with her as she completes her 30-day rehab stint.
6 Mary-Kate Olsen
The Olsen twins made their way to fame as child stars in the 90s. But the pressure from her new life along with personal problems got to Mary-Kate. She entered treatment in 2004 to battle her Anorexia Nervosa. I always loved the Olsen twins as a kid and it was such a shock to find out about Mary-Kate. Mary-Kate has stepped out of the acting world for a more hands-on role in her fashion line along with sister Ashley.
7 Candace Cameron Bure
Mary-Kate Olsen wasn’t the only “Full House” child actor to develop an eating disorder. Candace Cameron Bure, aka D.J., became bulimic after the hit show ended. She writes about her struggle in her memoir “Reshaping It All.” She has since fully recovered, gotten married, and continues to act.
Having an eating disorder is a struggle, let alone putting yourself in the public eye. I look to these women who have battled and fought to stay strong whatever the outcome. What other celebrities do you know that have struggled with an eating disorder?
Tina @madison and one more thing: not calling it a reflection if our society(ie the western society) is a wrong claim. If you read health news you will see that what we call lifestyle illnesses(including overeating,bulimia and anorexia) are increasing compared to 50 years ago. And that the top 10 illnesses people die from in non-western countries are not these, but infectious diseases. Feel free to look that up Madison
Michelle @Tina Stafne Again I agree our society's relationship with food is bonkers. You raise some good points. I mean, within the past 50 years alone the focus on diet and appearance has been magnified in the public eye. And I do believe we should be working to eradicate the roots of the disorder not perpetuate diagnosis. But the point I disagree with is that low self-image is the sole root of the disease. Yes it plays a large role but there are other triggers as well such as abuse, a lack of control, low serotonin/dopamine levels and the spike that accompanies disordered behaviors, and the physiological results of starvation and addictive behaviors on the brain just to name a few. The problem with eating disordered thoughts is how logical it seems. John Nash, a well-known diagnosed Schizophrenic, talked in an interview about how he didn't realize his distortions were wrong because they came from the same place as his mathematical theories and logical arguments. Nash's experience translates to eating disorders in the sense that the distortions don't seem illogical because they are commonplace to the disordered individual. Telling friends what my symptoms were always leaves them shocked because it has crossed the line. People want to lose weight in our society but the eating disorder begins when you continue to engage in symptoms even when you are dying. Most people would admit that is unhealthy and would step back. Yet individuals in ED clinics are still fighting to lose because the weight has more to so with emotions that it does with body image.
Clee000 Love demi ! Shes like an inspiration for us !
Tina Seriously Get A grip. "Suffering" from an eating disorder? It's not something you suffer from. People suffer from cancer and other severe sickness they did not choose themselves that are far worse. You CHOSE to stop eating because of the sick ideal today's society puts upon women. But suffer from, tell that to underfed kids in the streets of India or Somalia that you choose to not eat when they really would kill for that bread you toss away.. And really, wanting to look like Barbie? Bad choice of ideal. Reality check calls
Ally @Tina Stafne we don't choose to not eat. You have no idea what it's like how Badly you want to eat but can't because you are scared of getting fat. You have no idea what it's like to be 17 years old weighing 30 kg yet when you look in the mirror all you see is fat. Or having a feeding tubed put down your nose because you can't eat with being sick. People die from eating disorders just like people die from cancer. I remember during my eating disorder I would cry because all i wanted to do was eat but i couldn't because my mind was telling me how fat i was. We don't choose to suffer from this hell. We didn't choose to start coughing up blood So maybe it's you who needs the Reality check.
Michelle @Tina Stafne I must say that I disagree. The media creates the idea that eating disorders are about looking a certain way. But eating disorders are far deeper than "food issues" or "a desire to be thin." To live, we need to eat, sleep and breathe. No one can disagree with that. There are both sleep disorders and breathing disorders so it is completely natural that there are eating disorders. I have personally battled an eating disorder for 9 years. You don't know what I went through and I would not wish that hell upon you. I was told that I don't have cancer and have no right to complain. My cancer was one of the mind, a disease that made me starve myself under the misguided logic that I could make myself a better person, that I could get rid of my faults, that I could transcend my emotions that seemed too intense to manage. I agree with you that when eating disorders are presented as people who want to be Barbie or unrealistically thin, it's ridiculous. That is not the disease. The disease is so vile because it makes you turn against your instinct to live; it's a slow, mutilated and destructive form of suicide. Marya Hornbacher writes, "At a certain point, an eating disorder ceases to be 'about' any one thing. It stops being about your family or your culture. Very simply, it becomes an addiction not only emotionally but also chemically." I invite you to research the Minnesota Starvation Experiment and aquatint yourself with literature in the field before labeling this disease as a "bad choice of ideal." I hope that helps with your reality check.
Jessie had no idea about kesha or the full house sisters.
Carly it is unbelieveable to know how many people eating disorders affect. it helps me believe that I will get better becuase they got better.
Denise @Carly Stay strong! Getting better is hard work, but it can be done!
Shelby I hate to admit, but I have been battling am eating disorder for years. Please to do not let yourselves do it. It's so hard to deal with.
Wendy The full house sisters had no idea :O
Tayyy Ke$ha!???!!!? What the? I was not expecting that. i feel for people who have this disorder, its so so scary
Wahidah_balie wow demi lavato?!?! i did not expect that :O
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