Actor Alyson Stoner sought assistance from a medical weight loss facility for her audition preparations for "The Hunger Games," as stated by a doctor who failed to note her heart ailment, enabling her to proceed with filming "Cheaper by the Dozen."
Former Child Actress Alyson Stoner Reveals Struggles with Eating Disorder During "Hunger Games" Audition Process
Alyson Stoner, known for her roles in movies like "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "Step Up," is set to publish a memoir titled "Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything" on Aug. 12. In the book, Stoner opens up about her challenging upbringing and career in Hollywood, including experiences with family addiction, religious trauma, identity struggles, and mental health.
One of the most revealing aspects of the memoir is Stoner's account of the eating disorder she developed during the audition process for "The Hunger Games." To prepare for the role of Katniss Everdeen, a character known for her thin and muscular physique due to hunting and archery, Stoner underwent a dangerous weight loss regime.
At 17 years old, Stoner attended a medical weight loss camp for two weeks, where she was put on a calorie-deficit diet and subjected to seven hours of daily exercise. Despite already being underweight, Stoner felt compelled to adhere to these harsh demands, leading to severe health consequences.
During the waiting period for the news about the role, Stoner's body entered starvation mode, causing her to experience severe hunger. This resulted in a binge eating episode, in which Stoner gained back all the weight she had lost.
Stoner's health issues were ignored in favor of allowing her to continue working in Hollywood. She was the last actor to audition for the role of Katniss Everdeen, but ultimately did not receive the part. One of the scenes she had prepared for the audition was cut in the audition room.
Stoner reflects critically on how doctors and trainers should never have permitted such harsh demands given her vulnerable condition. The pressure of pursuing the acting role pushed her to go to harmful extremes.
The full excerpt from Stoner's memoir about her "Hunger Games" experience can be found on Vanity Fair's website. The book offers an inside look at growing up as a child star in Hollywood's intense environment, dealing with exploitative work conditions, and the long road to self-discovery and healing. It also critiques the entertainment industry's impact on child stars and advocates for reform and breaking cycles of generational trauma.
- Stoner's memoir sheds light on her struggle with an eating disorder during the audition process for 'The Hunger Games,' when she was expected to portray the thin and muscular character of Katniss Everdeen.
- In her book, Stoner criticizes the entertainment industry for permitting harsh demands, which pushed her to dangerous extremes, such as attending a medical weight loss camp and following a calorie-deficit diet along with seven hours of daily exercise.
- The memoir also addresses the intersection of science (eating disorders, health and wellness, mental health) and entertainment, highlighting the physical and mental toll the industry takes on child stars and advocating for necessary reforms in their work conditions.
