Lynskey also explained that prior to meeting Howard, she had been in a severe pattern of restricting calories and throwing up. But their relationship marked a significant turning point in her recovery.

“It changed my life,” she said. “I stopped throwing up, mostly. It took a while. But that was a big one.

“I had, for a very long time, been on this diet that was basically 800 calories a day, and if I ate anything over 800 calories, I would throw up. I was never bingey. Sometimes I’d be starving, and I’d have another teacup of Special K. Then I’d be like, ‘Well, now I gotta throw it up.’”

These days, Lynskey is not only vocal about the unsolicited comments she receives about her body image, but she is paving the way for more positive representation in Hollywood. When she received the Best Actress in Leading Role – Drama award for Yellowjackets at the 2022 Gracie Awards, Lynskey gave a powerful acceptance speech celebrating her evolution on screen.

“It’s amazing to be 45 years old in a size 12 […] and be playing the sexiest, most interesting, most fun role of my entire career,” she said during her speech. “I never thought it was going to get better, but it did.”

For information and help on eating disorders, visit eating disorder charity Beat’s website. Helplines are open 365 days a year.

Melanie Lynskey just shared some refreshingly honest words about her eating disorder recovery