Does Lily Collins Have an Eating Disorder? A Dietitian’s Perspective

Lily Collins’ eating disorder has been a topic of public discussion, but the way we talk about it, and eating disorders in general, needs to change. Speculation about someone’s body or health isn’t just invasive; it can be harmful, reinforce stigma, and spread misinformation. 

As an eating disorder dietitian, I’ve seen firsthand how these conversations impact people’s perceptions of food, body image, and recovery. This post explores Collins’ own words about her experience, the problems with how eating disorders are portrayed in the media, and why body-focused conversations need to change.

Disclaimer 

I am a Registered Dietitian, and as such, the information provided is accurate and evidence-based. However, I am not your dietitian, and nutrition therapy is highly individual.  The information contained in this post is not intended to be a substitute for individualized nutrition advice or care. 

The information provided in this blog post is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

If you suspect you may have an eating disorder or any other medical condition, consult with a qualified healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and tailored treatment plan that’s appropriate for you. Always seek the advice of your qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Does Lily Collins Have an Eating Disorder? 

Lily Collins has been transparent about her history with eating disorders, sharing her personal struggles in her 2017 memoir “Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me.” In these candid pages, Collins revealed her battle with anorexia during her teenage years and early twenties.

That same year, Collins took on the lead role in To the Bone, a film about a young woman with anorexia. Playing a young woman with anorexia required Collins to revisit that chapter of her life. She acknowledged the risks of stepping back into that mindset, telling Refinery29, “It was something that I thought is risky because there’s a fine line between facing something head-on and succeeding, or falling back into it.” 

Collins said she wanted to be transparent about her past struggles to help reduce shame around the topic, bring more awareness, and help people feel less alone. She was quoted saying: 
“I always have been someone who is very open; I’ve always been a strong believer in sharing and discussing feelings about things that are considered shameful or confusing.”

By speaking out, she hoped to create space for others to do the same. She stated, “I wanted to start conversations about subjects that young girls find to be quite taboo.”  

As for Collins’ current health status? That’s no one’s business. What we do know is that the Emily in Paris star has previously mentioned that she has recovered. Since then, she hasn’t publicly mentioned any ongoing struggles.

But just because someone has spoken about their past doesn’t mean they owe the public updates. Speculating about whether someone has relapsed or analyzing their weight isn’t just invasive; it’s harmful. Not only can these kinds of comments be triggering for the person they’re about, but they can also be triggering to anyone who is listening. 

Recovery is personal, and it’s never something that should be up for public debate, celebrity or not. 

The Harm of Eating Disorder Portrayals in Media

There’s a fine line between raising awareness about eating disorders and creating content that is triggering, glamorizing, or even harmful. The media has the power to shape public perception, so it’s a tightrope to walk. Unfortunately, most productions stumble, and “To the Bone” is no exception, despite its well-intentioned approach.

The film joins a long line of media that reinforces problematic narratives about eating disorders, often missing key nuances or perpetuating outright inaccuracies. These productions rarely include input from eating disorder registered dietitians or other professionals who work daily with eating disorder patients. 

Instead, they rely on outdated narratives, stereotypes, and misinformation, often dramatizing storylines in a way that misleads viewers rather than providing meaningful awareness. These portrayals oversimplify the complex realities of eating disorders and their treatment.

What’s particularly troubling about Collins’ involvement in ‘To the Bone’ is that she has to lose weight to play the role. The producers claimed that Collins lost weight “healthfully” and while under supervision. 

However, as an eating disorder specialist, I want to emphasize that there is no “healthy” way for someone with her health history to lose weight.  Weight loss for someone with a history of a restrictive eating disorder significantly increases relapse risk, and placing career before health sends a problematic message to vulnerable viewers.

Understanding Eating Disorders Beyond Stereotypes

Many media portrayals of eating disorders, including ‘To the Bone,’ reinforce the harmful stereotype that eating disorders only affect thin, young, white women. While this representation isn’t invalid, it’s woefully incomplete.

Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientation. Men, people of color, older adults, people in larger bodies, and pregnant women can all experience eating disorders, yet they are often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely due to harmful stereotypes.

In fact, research shows that less than 8% of people with eating disorders are medically classified as underweight, yet thinness continues to be portrayed as the defining feature (1). Moreover, studies have found that atypical anorexia nervosa is at least two to three times more common than anorexia nervosa (2, 3). Not so atypical, right? (Atypical anorexia is a diagnosis for individuals who meet all the clinical criteria for anorexia nervosa, except that they are in a larger body.)

Eating disorders are not just about weight; they are influenced by complex psychological, emotional, and physiological factors. When the media reinforces the same narrow narrative, many people will feel unseen, invalidated, “not sick enough,” and unable to get the help they need. 

The Problem with Media and Public Speculation About Lily Collins Having an Eating Disorder 

Speculating about a celebrity’s body or health is never harmless. It has real consequences. Public scrutiny doesn’t just affect the person being discussed; it reinforces harmful messages about body image, privacy, and eating disorders as a whole. Here’s why commenting on Lily Collins’ status, or any celebrity’s, is problematic: 

1. Body-Focused Comments Can Be Harmful
Speculating about someone’s body, especially when they have a history of an eating disorder, can be deeply triggering. For those in recovery or who have struggled in the past, public scrutiny can amplify insecurities, fuel negative thoughts, and increase anxiety around their appearance. 

2. Major Achievements Overshadowed by Body Talk
When the conversation around a celebrity continually focuses on their appearance, it diminishes their accomplishments. Collins is an actress, author, and producer, yet discussions about her body often take precedence over her work and talent. Reducing someone to their size or weight is reductive and undermines their professional achievements.

3. It Perpetuates Stigma Around Eating Disorders
Turning eating disorders into speculation, gossip, or scandal fuels shame and secrecy. When the media treats it as shocking revelations, it reinforces embarrassment rather than compassion and support. This kind of coverage makes it harder for people to seek help without fear of judgment.

4. It’s Invasive 
Yes, celebrities are public figures, but their bodies and personal health are not public property. There’s a pervasive expectation that if a celebrity’s weight changes, they owe the public an explanation. But no one, celebrity or not, owes an explanation for their appearance. Celebrities are still humans. 

5. It Impacts Everyone Listening
The way we talk about celebrity bodies doesn’t just affect them; it affects anyone listening. Public scrutiny of famous people’s weight sends a damaging message that appearance is more important than character, accomplishments, or well-being. This kind of discourse reinforces unrealistic beauty standards, fuels body dissatisfaction, and normalizes body shaming and body comparisons. 

6. Assumptions Are Often Wrong
Weight changes can be caused by stress, illness, recovery from an eating disorder, or countless other factors. For example, in 2020, Chadwick Boseman was mocked for weight loss in a video, with people speculating about drugs or personal choices, only to later learn he was battling terminal cancer. Making assumptions without context is harmful and dismissive of the complexity of someone’s situation.

7. Eating Disorders Aren’t Always Visible
Public concern about thinness perpetuates the myth that eating disorders are only visible through extreme weight loss. As stated above, most individuals with eating disorders don’t appear underweight.  This myth can be harmful, delaying treatment for those who don’t “look sick enough” and discouraging people from seeking help because they don’t fit the look.

Since we never know what someone is going through (celebrity or not), it’s always best to avoid commenting on their body.

Why Commenting on Anyone’s Body is Harmful

Beyond celebrities, it’s never okay to comment on anyone’s body. Even if well-intended, comments about someone’s body can do more harm than good. They reinforce harmful beauty standards, fuel insecurities, and can even trigger unhealthy behaviors. Here’s why it’s best to avoid body talk altogether: 

1. Places One’s Value and Worth on Appearance 
Any comment about someone’s body, regardless of intent, implies that their appearance is important enough to be noticed, judged, or discussed. This reinforces the idea that how we look holds more value than who we are and can fuel body insecurity. 

2. Can Encourage Harmful Behaviors
Noticing or praising body changes can reinforce harmful behaviors. If a person is restricting food, overexercising, or obsessing over weight or calories, these comments can validate those behaviors and push them to maintain or even escalate them.

3. Weight Does Not Equal Health
Body size is not a reliable indicator of health, yet weight-based comments often reinforce the false belief that thinner bodies are inherently healthier. Reducing health to appearance is both simplistic and misleading.

4. Fuels Body Comparison and Insecurity
Hearing body-related comments can make people more self-conscious and lead to unhealthy comparisons. This is a major contributor to body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and low self-esteem.

5. It Leads to Objectification 
Commentary on bodies reduces someone to their appearance, implying they exist for the viewing pleasure of others, and that how our body looks to other people matters more than how it feels to us. 

6. Even Positive or Well-Intentioned Comments Can Be Harmful
Saying “You look great” or “Have you lost weight?” may seem harmless, but it can reinforce the idea that looking a certain way is better. It can also make someone feel like their previous body wasn’t good enough or that their appearance is being monitored.

Shifting the Conversation: What to Say Instead of Speculating About Lily Collins Having an Eating Disorder

Body-focused conversations are so common that they can feel automatic, but they don’t have to be. Instead of commenting on someone’s appearance, here are ways to shift the focus to something more meaningful.

Shifting the Conversation About Celebrities

Here’s are some tips for engaging in more thoughtful discussions about celebrities:

• Celebrate their accomplishments, not their appearance.
  Highlight their professional achievements, talents, or creative contributions rather than their bodies. 
• Acknowledge the challenges of their industry.
  Recognize the pressures celebrities face in Hollywood. Discuss the broader issues of unrealistic beauty standards and systemic problems rather than speculating about individual circumstances.
• Engage in meaningful conversations.
  Talk about the art they create, the projects they work on, or the causes they support. Shift the focus from their appearance to their impact and passions.
• Advocate for systemic change.
  Use these moments to discuss the need for body diversity and inclusivity in media, emphasizing the value of all body types and the importance of health over appearance.
• Avoid reinforcing harmful narratives.
  If conversations about celebrities’ bodies arise, redirect the focus to the importance of respecting their privacy and humanity. Remind others that speculation is invasive and unhelpful.

Shifting Conversations With People In Your Life 

Here are ways to connect more meaningfully with people in your life, rather than commenting on appearance: 

Compliment qualities unrelated to appearance.
Focus on traits like their work ethic, sense of humor, kindness, intelligence, or creativity:

• “I love how thoughtful you are.”
• “You always know how to make me laugh.”
• “Your creativity is so inspiring.”

If complimenting appearance, choose things that can be changed or reflect personality.
Highlight aspects like style, accessories, or a new haircut that express who they are:

• “Those vibrant earrings are stunning!”
• “I love how your outfit shows off your unique style.”
• “Your haircut suits you so well—it’s such a fun look!”

Show genuine interest in their life.
Ask meaningful questions about how they’ve been doing or what’s happening in their life:

• “How have you been feeling lately?”
• “What’s been bringing you joy these days?”
• “Is there anything you’re excited about or looking forward to?”

Express your care for them.
Simply tell them you love and appreciate them:

• “I’m so glad we’re spending time together.”
• “I feel really lucky to have you in my life.”
• “You mean so much to me.”

Be present and listen.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to show up, listen without judgment, and create a safe space for them to share what’s on their mind:

• “I’m here to listen, no matter what’s going on.”
• “I want to hear about what’s been on your mind lately.”
• “Take your time—I’m here to support you.”

Ask about their passions and hobbies.
Show interest in what they enjoy, such as their favorite books, music, TV shows, or creative projects:

• “What books have you been enjoying recently?”
• “Seen any great movies or shows lately?”
• “Have you had time to work on [insert project here]?”

Final Thoughts 

Speculating about questions like “Does Lily Collins have an eating disorder?” does more harm than good. Eating disorders are complex, deeply personal, and not up for public debate.

If you want to learn more about body image, eating disorders, or Intuitive Eating, check out these other blog posts:

• 30+ Body Neutrality Journal Prompts
• Intuitive Eating Made Me Fat? The Truth About Intuitive Eating and Weight Gain
• Why Do I Feel Guilty After Eating? Surprising Reasons & Solutions
• The Disadvantages and Dangers of Dieting [An Unbiased Guide]
• 80 Non-Physical Compliments That Have Nothing to Do with Appearance
• Intuitive Eating Before and After [What to Expect When You Start Intuitive Eating] 
• Intuitive Eating Quiz: Are You an Intuitive Eater?

If you’re looking for personalized support,  I offer one-on-one body image and Intuitive Eating counseling services to help you find food freedom and body confidence. My one-on-one services are tailored to your specific needs and concerns. We work to develop a plan together that will help you achieve your goals and fit into your life. Whether you’re looking to break free from the diet cycle, overcome emotional or binge eating, or start treating your body with respect and kindness, I’m here to help!