NEW YORK – Calista Flockhart, best known for her lead role in the legal drama “Ally McBeal,” recently opened up about the impact of relentless eating disorder speculation on her mental health during the filming of the show. The actress, now 59, reflected on the toll it took on her, describing how it left her “sleep-deprived” and “depressed.”
Despite winning both a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for her role in “Ally McBeal,” Flockhart was plagued by reports that she was battling anorexia. The constant scrutiny of her weight and appearance deeply affected her, leading to sleepless nights and feelings of depression.
In an interview with the New York Times, Flockhart revealed that she was worried the speculation would ruin her career, as she feared that others would assume she had anorexia and that no one would hire her again.
Standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and with her weight widely reported to be around 110 lbs, Flockhart was repeatedly forced to address the rumors surrounding her body, which took a toll on her throughout the five years of filming “Ally McBeal.”
The actress shared that she often felt hurt, embarrassed, and infuriated by the relentless speculation about her weight, and emphasized the mental and emotional strain it caused. Despite the challenges, she persevered, finding the strength to carry on by reminding herself that she is a good person and did not deserve the mean-spirited reports about her body.
Discussing the impact that today’s societal standards would have on the show, Flockhart mentioned that the body-shaming she experienced would not be acceptable in current times. She highlighted the importance of abstaining from baseless accusations about someone’s health, emphasizing that it is not okay to assume someone is struggling with a disease that many people face.
Flockhart’s struggles during her time on “Ally McBeal” have shed light on the harmful effects of body shaming and the importance of being mindful of the impact of speculation about someone’s health. Despite the challenges she faced, the resilient actress has emerged from the experience with a newfound perspective and a focus on her well-being.