It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and Eiza González shared a vulnerable and honest message on Instagram, speaking openly about the complicated relationship she has had with her body. González shared a powerful image of her looking strong and toned in the gym, along with photos from her past where she was at her lowest weight.
The Mexican actress and singer, who first rose to fame as a teenager in Mexico, knows what it’s like to grow up under a microscope. She explained that as she was navigating grief after her father’s sudden death at a young age, she began coping with depression by turning to food and “eating compulsively—trying to soothe pain I hadn’t processed.”
© GettyBy 13, she had gained 30 pounds almost overnight, and shortly after, at 15, the public eye found her. “Every image was dissected, every detail criticized, and everyone seemed to have an opinion about my body, who I was, and who I should be,” she wrote.
Being thrust into the spotlight as a teen star wasn’t easy. González recalls the weight of judgment shaping a sense of self in her young mind. “I became obsessed—constantly weighing myself, measuring my worth in pounds, asking if losing more would make people like me, or make me like myself,” the Ambulance star shared.
© Getty“Approval never came,” she added, and the pressure only intensified. What she thought was strength, shaping herself to meet the expectations of others, “was perceived as weakness,” leaving her “feeling emptier than ever.”
Even as her career took off internationally, the insecurities didn’t fade. Roles in Baby Driver (2017) showcased her on-screen presence, Alita: Battle Angel (2019) highlighted her physicality and dedication to training, and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) cemented her as a Hollywood action star.
© GettyAlongside acting, she pursued music projects, all while learning to navigate a world that constantly judged her appearance. The scrutiny never went away, but González learned to reclaim her power. “The one thing I learned from all this is how powerful the mind can be and how much we can change when we set our will to it,” she wrote.
Now at 36, González chooses herself. “It hasn’t been an easy journey, and it’s still ongoing. Over time, as my body has carried the weight of my experiences and spoken back to me, my priorities have shifted. Its power now serves a different purpose.”
“I’ve become deeply committed to giving my body love—fueling it with kindness, care, and respect so it can feel happy and fulfilled,” she continued before sharing words of wisdom for her 8 million followers, “I hope anyone reading this knows that choosing yourself and honoring your body for the right reasons is far more meaningful than trying to be liked by others even ourselves sometimes.”
Eating disorder awareness
Eating disorders affect millions worldwide. In the U.S., 9% of people – about 30 million -will experience one in their lifetime, with women nearly twice as likely as men. Globally, rates have more than doubled since 2000, and 22% of children and teens show disordered eating, per the National Eating Disorder Association.
Eating disorders carry the second-highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, yet people with higher body weight are often underdiagnosed. Conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder take a huge mental health toll, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, early diagnosis, and care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Helpline at (800) 931-2237 or text “NEDA” to 741741 for immediate support.
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