Chrissy Metz, known for her role as Kate Pearson on "This Is Us," shares more than just a profession with her character. Like Kate, Metz has navigated her own complex weight loss journey, a part of which unfolded while filming the beloved show. Over the years, Metz has openly discussed her experiences with weight fluctuations and how her character resonated with her, a sentiment echoed by many fans who found her portrayal deeply relatable.
Metz acknowledged the profound connection many people, particularly women, felt with Kate. They related to her imperfect journey through trials, tribulations, and the shame and guilt she carried. Many women shared their own experiences with Metz, appreciating the representation of someone with similar struggles on screen.
Metz has stated that her role on the show significantly shaped her perspective on weight loss and body image.
Early Struggles with Weight
In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Metz revealed that she had been "chubby all my life." She recalled being a "chubbier kid," regardless of fluctuations in weight or activity levels. Metz noted that while her friends could eat freely, she had to be mindful of her food intake to avoid gaining weight. She explained that food was a "beautiful bonding" experience for her family, which she said likely put strain on those familial relations amid her journey to lose weight as a child. While she didn't recall being explicitly told what not to eat, she knew it was a sensitive issue that was often whispered about to avoid hurting her feelings.
In her book, “This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today,” Metz opened up about traumatic weigh-ins as a child with her stepfather. She described how her body seemed to offend him, especially when she was eating, and how he would joke about locking the refrigerator. She recalled instances where her stepfather would clang the scale on the kitchen floor and demand she get on it.
Read also: Chrissy Metz's Transformation
Relating to scenes in "This Is Us" that depicted Kate's puberty with weight concerns, Metz recalled her own experience at Weight Watchers as a pre-teen. She felt awkward being the youngest person in the room.
Finding Connection Through "This Is Us"
Metz found a deep connection with her character, Kate, on "This Is Us," particularly in their shared struggles with weight and body image.
Just as Kate was losing weight on the show, Metz said in the same interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she was on her own journey. In the 2017 interview, Metz described weight loss as "something I've struggled with and contemplated." She acknowledged that she had lost weight and gained it back, but believed that everything happened for a reason. She felt that she wouldn't have had the opportunity to play such an amazing role if she had already lost all the weight. At the time, she said the weight loss is “definitely going to happen,” but noted that her character shows the reality of the process and what emotions come up during that time.
In an interview with Verywell Mind, Metz explored the mental toll of weight loss on her character and the ways she used food to cope. She emphasized that food was often a symptom of deeper emotional issues. She told the publication that 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. Metz realized she needed to understand why she was hurting her body with food, which meant addressing past trauma and unresolved issues. Similarly, Metz told TVLine in 2016 that Kate's storyline ultimately led to benefits in her own health. She saw it as a win-win, as she was more motivated to make changes for someone else.
A Significant Weight Loss
In a 2017 interview with People, Metz revealed that she began her acting career as a size 12. She lost 50 pounds before moving to Los Angeles, following her manager's recommendation. However, after not finding the success she had hoped for, Metz began “eating my feelings” and gained 100 pounds. This led to a panic attack that sent her to the hospital, which she said changed her health trajectory at the time. Metz lost 100 pounds in less than five months after the hospitalization by following a 2,000-calorie diet and walking 20 minutes a day.
Read also: Metz on Self-Acceptance and Weight
Shifting Focus: Beyond the Numbers
Metz has emphasized the importance of focusing on overall health and well-being rather than fixating on numbers on a scale.
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. She explained that she didn't worry about numbers because it messed with her mind. In a 2018 interview with People, Metz said she was losing weight on her own timeline, adding that her journey was “not for anybody but myself.” At the Wrap Women’s Power Women Summit in October 2019, Metz said, “Whether I lose weight or I don’t, I don’t really hold onto like a number,” she shared.
She believes that it is important for each individual to determine what makes them happy and how to get to that, acknowledging that it will take time. Metz hoped to convey through Kate that health can look different on each person, regardless of size. She shared how people were surprised that her blood work showed great cholesterol levels, despite her size. She wanted people to know that health is not always what it seems and that appearances can be deceiving.
Addressing Misconceptions
Metz has also addressed common misconceptions and questions about her weight loss journey, particularly regarding gastric bypass surgery.
In Season One of "This Is Us," Kate considers gastric bypass surgery to loss weight, which led to the one question Metz said she wishes people wouldn't ask her in real life. She expressed her frustration with people asking if she was planning to undergo weight-loss surgery, stating that she was not.
Read also: Self-Acceptance Journey
The Importance of Self-Worth
Metz has been a strong advocate for mental health, emphasizing the importance of self-love and acceptance in the weight loss journey.
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. She believes that if someone is constantly focused on losing weight but feels unworthy, they will never succeed. She stresses the importance of realizing that we are enough just as we are.
Metz advises people to be gentle and kind to themselves, as we often fixate on our outward appearances. She believes that self-love is essential for reaching our goals.
In a 2019 episode of "This Is Us," Kate was unable to fit in a booth at a restaurant, which prompted an emotional response from viewers. Metz responded to a tweet from someone who shared their experience of living in a "booth nightmare," encouraging them by saying that their weight does not define them and that people's perceptions are their own. She emphasized that they are worthy and purposeful no matter what.