From the second first-look images of Pam & Tommy dropped, the show received plenty of buzz – partly down to how drastic (and eerily convincing) Lily James' transformation into Pamela Anderson is for it.
Much discussion ensued around how she embarked on an intense fitness regime for the part, and adopted a breast plate along with spending hours in the make-up chair, but less has been said on Sebastian Stan's equally major efforts to portray drummer Tommy Lee.
Now, in a new interview, Sebastian has opened up about how prepping for his part had a detrimental impact on his mental health and exacerbated an issue he's faced for some time; body dysmorphia (defined by the NHS as a "mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance... having BDD does not mean you're vain or self-obsessed, it can be very upsetting and have a big impact on your life").
Some of those who suffer with body dysmorphia, or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), also report seeing themselves in a larger body to the one they actually live in.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Sebastian said, "I was trying to lose weight and I still felt I didn't lose enough weight and people were telling me I was crazy and going, 'You have body dysmorphia now' — which I always did anyway."
The actor also shared that in order to lose weight for the part he stopped he usual workout routine and instead opted for "just running and trying to get 20,000 steps a day, and then I was fasting for 16 to 18 hours a day... and that definitely does something, especially if you're [driving] in traffic".
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After adding that he was proud of his efforts, Sebastian then shared how he feels the pressures of maintaining society's unrealistic 'body ideals' can be tough.
"Anybody that even has a healthy physique to some extent has body dysmorphia, because once you're going into a peak, the 'best look' possible, your body can only be at peak 100% for like maybe a week or something," he said. "At least, how I've experienced it; and I mean diet and exercise and tanning and water and lighting and everything. And then you spend the rest of the time going, 'I'm not what I used to be.' But it's just all in the head."
For help and support with eating disorders or negative body image visit Beat or book in for a chat with your GP. For mental health advice, visit the NHS website or Mind.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
