Jameela Jamil Opens up About Mental Health and How She Developed an Eating Disorder 

If there’s someone who is not afraid to try to break society’s beauty standards, it’s Jameela Jamil, who plays Tahani Al-Jamil in the Emmy-nominated comedy series The Good Place.

She is never afraid to call out people for distorting body image and deceiving the public, even going after high-profile celebrities like Khloe Kardashian, Cardi B, and Iggy Azalea. Since the NBC show’s run three years ago, the actress has used her voice for bigger causes so dear to her heart, even referring to herself as a body image whistleblower.

Loneliness and Eating Disorders

Interestingly, her character in the highly acclaimed series is a socialite that’s too conscious about her self-image, her exact opposite in real life. Jameela is fearless – she does not back down from her critics but had always championed body positivity. This attitude stems from her rough teenage years.

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Jameela Jamil revealed that she had an eating disorder at 14

At 14, she struggled with body dysmorphia and anorexia and in one instance, she was weighed in front of the class, only to find out that she was the heaviest among her classmates. Imagine that moment and you’ll immediately understand how hard that must have been for her.

To add salt to the injury, the actress had no friends to find comfort during those moments. This loneliness, the former teacher believes, worsened her eating disorders. Jameela shared that she was sad and had no one to talk with, which explains her team-up with Bumble Bee, an app where users can find a friend.

The activist explained that this would be helpful to her teen self had it been already available at the time since she was a socially awkward person who needed a slight nudge to find like-minded pals.

Building Journey

Despite the app not being available by then, Jameela managed to come out of her shell and find friends herself.  She started opening up and creating more things she loves, which paved the way to find people who share the same likes and passion. The 33-year-old also explained the role of adult friendship in finding her way in Hollywood.

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Jameela has slowly built her confidence, but that doesn’t mean the journey is over. The actress revealed she doesn’t look in the mirror and only do so when she puts eyeliner in the morning and removes it at night, meaning she still suffers from body dysmorphia.

Meanwhile, the I Weigh founder also recently revealed that she checked her weight every single day for a little more than two decades! Jameela said that her mood for the day would be up to the number on the scale on her bathroom, which she described as a “horrifying waste of time.”

Things got so bad that she would pass out due to extreme starvation and even her monthly cycle suffered because of it. She divulged that she even got bedsores since she had become so thin.

Criticizing Cardi B

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As mentioned, the former T4 presenter is not afraid to blast celebrities who promote unethical and unhealthy products for weight loss.

Jameela has been noticeably irritated by detox teas, so when Cardi B shared a sponsored post, the body-positivity champion had a lot to say not just to her but to other stars who were advertising the same kind as well. She reiterates that people need to eat fruits and vegetable rich in fiber instead of chugging down laxatives in order to stay healthy.