Lili Reinhart shares the struggles she had to face while filming Riverdale

Riverdale star Lili Reinhart, known for playing the role of Betty Cooper, recently spoke out about the considerable struggles she experienced while filming the series, especially during its sixth season.

Confiding in an interview with Self magazine on January 22, 2025, about how she struggled during her days on Riverdale, Reinhart revealed that she developed an eating disorder and fought body dysmorphia amid the pressure of Hollywood. She, through her life experiences, throws light on the otherwise unknown emotional trauma attached to celebrity culture and how beauty standards are linked to mental illness.

Reinhart said that psychological issues started in the teenage years; however, matters became more exacerbated as she focused on her career as an actor. She remembered feeling "disassociated" while filming a scene and even said:

“I really don’t like looking at season six imagery or pictures, because I know that 99% of my thoughts were about my body,”

These constant thoughts created a battle she had against an unhealthy mind about her appearance and self, which she further described as a debilitating condition.

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The effects of body issues while filming on the Riverdale set

Reinhart said that while on the set of Riverdale, she was filled with intrusive thoughts about her body. She stated that while filming, her inner dialogue was characterized by anxiety over her changing physique.

“I was a thousand percent just disassociated through that entire day or scene because my entire inner dialogue is just… ‘Your body’s changing.’”

This was worsened by the pressure of fitting into a certain image in the entertainment industry, where unrealistic beauty standards are often glamorized.

The Riverdale actress has been open about her fight with body dysmorphia and depression, saying:

“It was really hard to keep up, but I did,”

“I didn’t have a choice, and I’ve always just showed up and done my job.”

She highlighted that this is not just a personal issue but also an issue of representation of women's bodies in the media. Reinhart's issues were further complicated by societal expectations about beauty, often making her feel inferior to her co-stars.

She stated that even in intimate scenes, she felt intimidated by the physiques of those around her.

"I have come to terms with my body and that I’m not the kind of person you would see walking on a runway during fashion week," she explained.

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Coping Mechanisms and Advocacy

Aside from mental health concerns, Reinhart has also experienced problems in the physical realm-she suffers from interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic condition involving the bladder. The Riverdale actress felt frustrated with the healthcare system and underscored the need for self-advocacy when seeking treatment.

"It's so expensive to be sick," she said, pointing out one of the biggest hurdles many must clear to get access to healthcare.

This commitment for Reinhart to raise awareness about these issues comes from personal experiences and the need to help others who might be going through the same. She said:

"I need to find a urogyno specialist... My urogyno is telling me so many women have this, and that's why I think it's as important as it is to just be like, 'Hey, I'm dealing with it too.'"

By sharing her story, Reinhart hopes to help remove the stigma surrounding conversations about women's health and encourage others to seek help.

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Lili Reinhart's openness regarding her battle with eating disorders and body dysmorphia during the Riverdale shoot throws light upon the silent struggle of many behind the glamour and glitz of the entertainment world. Her fight for a good life shows that society can easily destroy mental well-being.