Washington [US], February 5 : British actor Sam Claflin, widely recognised for his role as Finnick Odair in 'The Hunger Games' franchise, has candidly discussed his struggle with body dysmorphia, attributing the condition to the intense physical expectations of the film industry.
As per Variety, speaking on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, the actor revealed that the "Hollywood assumption" regarding male physiques significantly impacted his mental health.
Claflin, who made his cinematic debut in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides', noted that the pressure to maintain a specific aesthetic began early in his career.
Claflin recounted an experience from one of his first films where a shirtless scene was added to the production at the last minute.
"I had a topless scene... but it wasn't in the script and I got told a week before they were going to take my top off," he shared.
The actor described the immediate anxiety this caused, fearing he was unprepared for his "first introduction to the world."
The actor admitted that these experiences fostered a deep-seated insecurity. Despite a successful career that includes blockbusters like 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and the acclaimed series 'Daisy Jones & the Six', Claflin confessed to being "massively impacted" by public perception, as per Variety.
In an earlier interview, as quoted by Variety, Claflin elaborated on how the industry's obsession with muscularity led to his diagnosis.
"There's this Hollywood assumption that it's the men with the six packs who sell the movie. So there was a pressure that was what I needed to look like," he said in that interview.
While he clarified that he does not blame individuals, he acknowledged that the nature of the industry led to him developing a form of body dysmorphia.
Claflin also emphasised that he is not alone in this experience, suggesting that many men in the industry face similar challenges.
However, he described his own journey as "quite bad" and an "everyday struggle."
The actor also admitted that despite his Golden Globe-nominated performance as Billy Dunne in 'Daisy Jones & the Six', he still finds it difficult to watch his own work.
"I'm incredibly insecure," he said, adding, "I just went to a screening... and [I was like], 'I hated it.' It's my face I don't like [it].'"
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