The Hunger Games’ Sam Claflin Details Struggles With Body Dysmorphia

by

Sam Claflin is opening up about his moments of self-doubt.

The actor from Daisy Jones & The Six recently admitted he often feels very insecure about his body image.

During a recent appearance on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, the 39-year-old described attending a film screening and being immediately asked for feedback by the director and producers. They admitted, ‘I hated it.’ They explained that the reason wasn’t the film itself, but rather their own performance and appearance, saying, ‘It’s my face I don’t like. I don’t like me.’

Sam added, “I have a form of body dysmorphia, I think.”

The actor known for The Hunger Games says his struggles stem from feeling like an outsider during gym class when he was a teenager.

Sam explained that his insecurities likely started during his teenage years. He hit puberty later than his peers and struggled with feeling self-conscious about his appearance – he felt too short and not strong enough. He specifically recalled a humiliating experience in P.E. class where he couldn’t do a pull-up, while everyone else in his year could.

For Sam, that feeling carried over to his career as an actor.

He explained that working in his field, especially with everyone now able to share their opinions online, can be tough. He recalled a scene early in his career where he unexpectedly had to appear topless, as it wasn’t originally written into the script.

Sam said he found out about a week beforehand that he’d be asked to take his shirt off. He panicked because he hadn’t been exercising and worried about how he’d look, since this was his first major public appearance.

As Sam shared, his thought process has also presented itself in his everyday routine.

He explained that he tends to overthink things, which often leads him to skip meals. He usually just has juice for breakfast and pushes himself harder at the gym if he indulges in an unhealthy dinner. He’s also trying to cut back on alcohol and prioritize sleep, but his overthinking often makes it difficult to do so. It’s a constant, daily challenge for him.

Indeed, Sam admitted that he is aware of his problems and is trying to move forward.

He explained he’s still figuring things out and becoming more conscious of the situation. He’s trying to accept it, but admits it’s difficult.

Indeed, the Me Before You actor is looking forward to entering his 40s with a new perspective.

I have to say, Sam – and he’s turning 40 in June – just radiates happiness. He was telling me how good life is, especially now that he’s getting older. He actually laughs when people tease him about nearing 40! He feels fantastic, honestly. He says he’s healthier and happier now than he was in his twenties or thirties, and that he finally has a really solid sense of who he is. It’s so inspiring to see!

Becoming a dad to Pip, age 10, and Margot, age 8, who he shares with his former partner Laura Haddock, has given him a stronger sense of purpose in life.

He shared that being a dad is a core part of who he is, something he fully embraces. He feels naturally inclined to care for others, and having children has given him a strong sense of purpose. He hopes to have more kids, because he loves sharing affection and believes that’s his calling in life.

For more stars who have opened up about their mental health, keep reading…

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He stated he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.

He explained that his wife was expecting their son. He worried about the impact of parenthood on his mental health – specifically, the possibility of a severe episode he might not recover from. Because of these concerns, he proactively began therapy and sought support.

The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.

In an interview with The Guardian in April 2025, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, he gained weight and then entered a phase where he actively sought to improve his appearance. He felt that being seen as more conventionally attractive would lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable, especially as he was emerging from a period of depression and isolation.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He said that overcoming his disappointment and personal struggles enabled him to return to things with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted that food was her biggest weakness and she engaged in extreme behaviors because of it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar and alcohol and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the medication Ritalin.

She shared that she’s an actress who struggles with eating and body image, but she’s working on healing those challenges and focusing on her overall health by eating nutritious foods.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about, even with those closest to you. She explained that she personally feels she should be able to handle it, and admitting she struggles feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist frequently talks about safeguarding her well-being, like blocking out negativity online, and often offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being kind to yourself and resisting impulsive decisions. She explained that giving things time can allow difficult feelings to pass.

As people adjusted to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the singer of “Firework” opened up about the significant stress these kinds of situations can cause.

She shared on Twitter that it’s often hard to decide whether dealing with the virus or the resulting feelings of depression is more difficult. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, saying it’s become her safe haven since there aren’t many other places she feels comfortable going.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

After her panic attacks started happening again, she was finally able to understand what was going on.

Kendall explained that she experiences both good and very anxious days, making her involvement with this movement important to her. She hopes to help others feel less isolated and alone.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental wellbeing.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to understand, but the most important thing is to talk about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings bottled up, but remember you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The star of Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional help, having publicly discussed her own experiences with depression. She’s shared that talking to a therapist is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began MDMA and psilocybin therapy – a treatment for PTSD – after struggling with an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that this was the first time she’d toured without feeling nervous. She described a strange sensation—almost like a change in air pressure—that she and the entire audience seemed to share. This experience helped her understand how much she thrives on—and even needs—that intense, physical connection with her listeners to truly feel her music come alive.

She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control, feeling like it had disconnected her from a traditional idea of womanhood. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated from expectations of how a woman should be, and believed this newfound freedom allowed her to explore new possibilities.

In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying it’s the first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind “What He Didn’t Do” has opened up about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I learned to suppress my feelings and cope on my own. But a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to revisit therapy and understand what was going on. I discovered that I’ve been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood – it wasn’t something that started recently in 2020, but has been present since I was 6 or 7 years old.

The actress known for Frozen has openly shared her mental health coping strategies for years, both in public speaking events and on social media platforms like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she told Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for every negative one, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experience with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken struggle for new mothers.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler each time to talk about her experience. Her hope was to let others know that this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teen, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara shared with the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to find happiness within herself, and after a long journey, she’s finally able to do just that – be content and happy on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her personally, saying it’s helped her through difficult times on numerous occasions.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to live with constant pain, and it is possible to heal from trauma. She acknowledged she had a lot of work ahead of her, but said simply recognizing that healing is possible is a good first step.

The singer has openly shared her struggles and recovery related to addiction and mental health, and often incorporates these personal experiences into her songs.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “Just a reminder to anyone who’s having a hard time – life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has openly discussed mental health, both through her work – like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria – and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety after a performance on Ellen where her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that sometimes you need to take a break to reduce stress.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly discussed her struggles with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme highs and lows that could leave her incapacitated for weeks.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

She shared that she’d dealt with mental health challenges for a long time, sometimes openly and sometimes privately. Speaking at the 2018 Global Changemakers Award, she explained, ‘I truly believe that keeping things secret makes you stay sick.’

Read More

2026-02-04 19:18