You may know Chrissy Metz from her breakout role as Kate Pearson on the NBC tear-jerker, This Is Us. The actress captivated viewers with her incredible portrayal of a relatable mom of two who was vulnerable about her struggles with weight and body image. Off-screen, Chrissy has been equally as honest about her own chrissy metz weight loss journey.
Just like viewers, the 43-year-old connected with the character instantly. “Here was this woman who was actually dealing with weight. Not like, ‘Oh my God, I gained a pound,'” Chrissy told the Hollywood Reporter. “She was a real woman who was really struggling, and all I could think was, ‘Oh my God, I’m Kate.'”
Chrissy has received countless comments about her weight, especially since bringing the role of Kate to life. In a 2017 PEOPLE interview, Chrissy said that when it comes to losing weight, she doesn’t want to do it for anyone but herself. “I want to have a fit, healthy body and not have to be put in a box. I don’t want to be limited by anything.”
Since becoming a notable public figure advocating for body positivity, the Breakthrough star has gotten very candid about her weight loss in tandem with Kate’s, especially with comments about her weight—good and bad—from viewers, as well as how viewers have connected with her storytelling. “You have to use what you have, and I wouldn’t have this role if I had already lost weight,” she told PEOPLE in 2017. “Now it’s about telling a story of a woman struggling with her weight, just as I have and still am.”
While Chrissy isn’t letting her weight stop her from achieving her goals these days, that wasn’t always the case for the actress—especially when she first started out in Hollywood. Here’s everything Chrissy Metz has shared about her weight loss journey and her perspective on body positivity.
A Lifelong Struggle with Weight
Chrissy said that she was “born chubby” in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve been chubby all my life,” she told the publication. “…As I got older at different times in my life I was thinner or more active or playing sports but I was definitely always a chubbier kid.”
And this impacted her relationship with food at an early age. “My friends could eat whatever they wanted to, but I knew that as a kid if I ate certain things I would totally gain weight,” she added. “I had to be really cognizant of what I ate.”
The Turning Point: A Health Scare
Chrissy’s wake-up call came in the form of a serious health scare. Before her breakout role on This Is Us, she suffered from a panic attack that sent her to the hospital on her 30th birthday. This incident was a pivotal moment in her life, pushing her to rethink her lifestyle choices and health.
“I was so gung-ho, I lost 100 pounds in less than five months,” Chrissy revealed in an interview. This significant weight loss was achieved through a strict diet and regular exercise, setting her on the path to a healthier lifestyle.
The Role of Kate Pearson
Landing the role of Kate Pearson on This Is Us was a game-changer for Chrissy, both professionally and personally. The character’s journey with weight and body image mirrored Chrissy’s own experiences, allowing her to bring an authentic portrayal to the screen.
“When I read the pilot, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m Kate,'” Chrissy recalled. “It was like five pages in, and I was like, ‘Holy cow, there’s an actual role that is important and not the butt of a joke.'”
Chrissy’s performance resonated with many viewers, particularly those who had faced similar struggles. Her honesty and vulnerability in portraying Kate’s journey struck a chord, making her a beloved figure in the body positivity movement.
Embracing Body Positivity
Chrissy has been a vocal advocate for body positivity, using her platform to encourage others to embrace their bodies and love themselves as they are. “I just have to be very clear,” Chrissy said in an interview. “Whether or not I lose weight or stay the same, it’s purely a choice of mine