'I was told I was fat every day, yet I was the skinniest I've ever been': Julianne Hough details her experience of fat-shaming in the movie industry
She plays the character Betty Weider in the movie Bigger, which hits theaters next year.
And while in the midst of prepping for the role, Julianne Hough spoke to Redbook magazine about how she once worked on a film where she 'basically was told I was fat every day, yet I was the skinniest I'd ever been.'
The 29-year-old, Redbook's February cover girl, said she would often compare herself to others when she was younger.
Truthful: Julianne Hough spoke to Redbook magazine about how she once worked on a film where she 'basically was told I was fat every day, yet I was the skinniest I'd ever been'
The professional dancer said she was 'very self-accepting' when she was a child but it switched in middle school.
If she feels self-conscious now, the movie star does something goofy or crazy 'to get out of my own head - something that reminds me of the freedom I felt as a kid before that happened.'
Julianne also touched on a recent experience when she stood up to a bully at work, which she said 'felt so good.'
Julianne told Redbook she used to be be a peacekeeper and would just 'brush off things that bothered me,' but now she stands up for herself.
The Dancing With The Stars judge also spoke about refocusing on acting after taking a brief break for her dancing career.
Lovely inside and out: The 29-year-old, Redbook's February cover girl, said she would often compare herself to others when she was younger
Abs-olutely ripped! If she feels self-conscious now, the movie star does something goofy or crazy 'to get out of my own head - something that reminds me of the freedom I felt as a kid before that happened'; pictured during her honeymoon in the Seychelles
Julianne said: 'I always say that without fear, you can't have courage. And without courage, you can't take risks and have success.'
The star added that 'it's really invigorating and fulfilling when you actually do something that scares the s**t out of you.'
Julianne, who wed professional hockey player Brooks Laich in July, said she changed her workout to prep for the role of Betty in Bigger.
The singer cut down her cardio sessions and did a lot more weights to help shape her body as Betty's - who had an 18-inch waist.
Wow: Julianne, who wed professional hockey player Brooks Laich in July, said she changed her workout to prep for the role of Betty in Bigger; seen during her honeymoon in July
Julianne and professional hockey player Brooks Laich, 34, started dating in December 2013 before tying the knot this past summer
On working out, Julianne told the magazine that she stays motivated to going to the gym by treating it as a priority.
She explained: 'You don't squeeze in brushing your teeth or taking a shower into your schedule "if you have time." I try to treat working out like it's the same kind of health must.'
The Safe Haven actress said that she also finds 'it difficult to do the same thing all the time. It's like, kill me now. I need a class where there are people and music,' adding that 'atmosphere is huge.'
Julianne has also been honest about her struggles with endometriosis, which is a chronic, painful disease that affects the inside of your uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What a good looking duo: Julianne and Brooks married in an outdoor wedding in early July near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; pictured together on December 3 in Beverly Hills
The actress, who revealed in 2008 she had the disease, told Redbook that at first doctors didn't take her symptoms seriously.
She said 'women deserve to be heard, accepted and supported, even if the topic makes some people uncomfortable.'
Julianne said she focuses on talking to her friends when positive things happen, not just went the bad occurs.
Explaining that she wants to 'build our relationship around positive things.'
While she said they can vent to her, she thinks friends 'need to support each other through good things in life too.'
Redbook's February cover is set to hit newsstands on January 2.
Family is everything: Julianne pictured with Brooks as well as her brother Derek Hough on Christmas Day
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