Chrissy Metz, widely recognized for her portrayal of Kate Pearson on the hit NBC drama "This Is Us," has become an inspiration to many through her honest and relatable journey with weight, body image, and self-acceptance. Her character, Kate Pearson, a plus-sized woman grappling with weight and societal expectations, resonated deeply with viewers. Metz's experiences mirror Kate's struggles, making her portrayal authentic and powerful. This article explores Chrissy Metz's weight loss journey, her connection to Kate Pearson, and her advocacy for body positivity.
The Early Years: A Childhood Shaped by Weight Concerns
Chrissy Metz has been open about her lifelong struggle with weight. In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she described herself as having been "chubby all my life." She recalled noticing early on that she was different from her friends, who could eat freely without consequence, while she had to be mindful of her food intake. "I was born chubby, and 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," she said.
Food was a central part of her family's bonding experience, which, while positive in some ways, also created challenges for her as she navigated weight loss. Metz also opened up about traumatic experiences with her stepfather, who would make her weigh herself and react harshly to the numbers on the scale. "My body seemed to offend him, but he couldn’t help but stare, especially when I was eating," she wrote in her book, This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today. "When I was 14, Trigger began weighing me. He’d get the scale from the bathroom and clang it hard on the kitchen floor. ‘Well, get on the damn thing!’ Trigger would yell.” These experiences left a lasting impact on her self-perception and relationship with food.
At the young age of 11, Metz attended Weight Watchers, making her the youngest person in the room. This experience, which she shared with her character Kate on "This Is Us," was awkward and highlighted the pressures she faced from a young age.
Finding Kate Pearson: A Role That Mirrored Reality
Metz's role as Kate Pearson was a turning point in her career and personal life. She felt an immediate connection to the character, who was dealing with "real weight issues." In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Metz emphasized that Kate's struggles were not just about a pound here or there, but about a deeper, more complex issue.
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Just as Kate was embarking on a weight loss journey on the show, Metz was on her own path. She described weight loss as "something I've struggled with and contemplated." She acknowledged that she had lost weight and gained it back, but that she wouldn't have had the opportunity to play Kate if she had already reached her weight loss goals.
Metz told US Weekly in 2022, “What I will miss most about Kate is that I think so many people, not even just women, relate to her and her walking imperfectly through her trials and tribulations and all the shame and guilt that she’s carried for so long."
The role also helped her understand the emotional reasons behind her eating habits. In an interview with Verywell Mind, Metz explained, “Because for sure, it’s not about the food. Ever. The food is the symptom…(If) you take the food away, all the feelings you’ve suppressed come up, and then you have to contend with them because you’ve never dealt with them." Playing Kate allowed Metz to explore these issues and address her past traumas.
The Weight Loss Journey: Hard Work and Dedication
Metz has experienced significant weight fluctuations throughout her life. Early in her acting career, she lost 50 pounds at the suggestion of her manager before moving to Los Angeles. However, after facing limited success, she began "eating my feelings" and gained 100 pounds. This led to a panic attack that required hospitalization and prompted her to make significant lifestyle changes.
Following her hospitalization, Metz lost 100 pounds in less than five months by following a 2,000-calorie diet and walking for 20 minutes a day. In a recent interview with People, the This Is Us star revealed that she initially weighed 230 pounds.
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She revealed that she tried different diets but still struggled with binge eating. “I would clean my closet out and throw away everything that didn’t fit me. But then I would go buy new clothes because I thought ‘Oh, this will work,'” she said in an interview with The Cut’s editor-in-chief, Stella Bugbee, who also lost 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Metz said she’s been working with a therapist who helped her realize that food wasn’t the enemy but rather a coping mechanism for dealing with stress. She added that exercise plays a big role in her weight loss journey as well: “I work out five days a week-running, biking, swimming-and I feel like it keeps me grounded,” Chrissy said.
Metz gained fame for playing Kate Pearson on the NBC drama, which follows the lives of three siblings from different eras in their family history. Metz said she lost the weight by following a strict diet plan that limited her calorie intake to between 1,600 and 1,800 calories per day.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” she said at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, California. “It wasn’t easy for me,” she confessed about losing 100 pounds after filming season one.
Embracing Body Positivity: A Message of Self-Acceptance
While Metz has pursued weight loss for her health, she has also become a vocal advocate for body positivity. She believes that all body types are beautiful and that people should love themselves regardless of their size. Metz has emphasized that her weight loss journey is "not for anybody but myself" and that she is focused on being healthy and happy, rather than conforming to societal expectations.
Metz told Marie Claire in a 2017 interview that she wasn't aware at the time how much she weighed, emphasizing that she wasn't using a scale. “I don’t worry about numbers,” she told the publication. “It just messes with my mind.”
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Metz has also spoken out against the pressure to undergo weight-loss surgery. After her character Kate considered gastric bypass surgery on "This Is Us," Metz said that the question she wished people would stop asking her was, "Are you having weight-loss surgery? Are you gonna be doing a gastric bypass?" Her response was a firm, "I'm good, boo."
Metz believes that self-love and acceptance are essential for achieving any goal. In June 2023, Metz told Woman’s World that she wants people to remember their "bodies don't define us" and act as vessels for our purpose. “If all you are thinking about is that you want to lose weight, but you feel like you are not going to be able to because you’re not worthy…then you won’t ever,” she said. “It is so important that you realize that just as we are, we are enough.”
Overcoming Challenges: The Fat Suit Experience
After losing a significant amount of weight, Metz landed a role on "American Horror Story" that required her to wear a fat suit. While this might have been difficult for some, Metz found the experience liberating. However, it also made her realize that she didn't want to struggle with her weight in real life as she did in the fat suit.
A Contractual Obligation: Motivation and Responsibility
When Metz was cast as Kate Pearson on "This Is Us," her contract included a clause requiring her to lose weight, mirroring her character's journey. While this might seem unusual, Metz saw it as a source of motivation and responsibility. She explained that it can be easier to achieve goals when you are doing it for a specific purpose or for others, rather than just for yourself.