Just when we thought we couldn’t love our girl Camila Mendes any more, the Riverdale star has gotten seriously candid.
Camila opened up about her struggles with an eating disorder during a recent interview with Nylon magazine.
“I only recently started dealing with my own eating disorder,” she said. “So, as I was dealing with it, it felt like it was a good opportunity to talk about that, because I’m still in that vulnerable state too. It’s not like, ‘Oh, I am so past that phase of my life. I’m so perfect and happy now.’ I’m still struggling and I’m still dealing with all of those things. I might always still struggle.”
The actor, who’s a vocal advocate of body positivity, also explained how the kindness she receives from fans has made a huge difference in this process.
“I’ve been kinder to myself because of all positive feedback,” she said. “I think all the encouragement from fans, and how much I see that they’re going through the same thing, and how much I feel like I actually have an opportunity here to inspire people and prevent people from going down that path, has shown me I actually could make that difference in someone’s life… So, the voices are starting to disappear. Well, they’re just less prominent in my head.”
Only a few months ago, Camila partnered with Project HEAL, an organisation that helps those dealing with eating disorders, in order to help destigmatise the illness.
“Could not be happier about my decision to get involved with Project HEAL,” she wrote. “I can say from experience that eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. Growing up, I watched my big sister suffer from one for many years, and I’ve experienced periods of my life when I’ve suffered symptoms as well.”
We love you, Cami!
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.