Gabourey Sidibe Reveals Her Struggles with Bulimia

2020 Media Access Awards Presented By Easterseals

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Over the last few years, Gabourey Sidibe shed some pounds. But, even with her body changes, she’s still faced criticism about her weight. While Gabby keeps her Twitter fingers ready to clap back at haters, her previous troubles with bulimia show us why we should be less critical of people and their weight journeys.

In a reunion of sorts, Gabby sat down with Taraji P. Henson for an intimate on Henson’s Facebook show, Peace of Mind with Taraji, and detailed how her parents’ separation triggered her eating disorder.

In the episode that aired on Monday, the actress explained how the eating disorder began. “It wasn’t even about other people. It was about me surviving the day. I was so embarrassed, and I hated crying so much. I hated it,” the 37-year old actress said. “I found a fun little button. I found a button, and on top of that, people were like, ‘You’re looking good.’ So I’m like, ‘Why would I stop?'”

Gabby explained that the eating disorder became less about weight and more about her emotions. “That’s what bulimia was for me,” the actress stated. “It wasn’t about losing weight. It wasn’t about controlling my appetite. Actually, it was about how it stopped me from crying. Being depressed was one thing. If you add an eating disorder to that, that’s a whole other monster that you have to fight.”

Henson’s show was created to discuss mental health and overcoming trauma. She provides a platform for others to tell their story to encourage someone else who may be dealing with a tough time. Henson revealed that she started the show, in part, because of her battle in managing her mental health.

Peace of Mind with Taraji airs on Mondays and Wednesdays at noon on Facebook Live.

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