Far too often, we’ve seen the intense spotlight of reality TV shine a difficult and sometimes unfavorable light on its contestants while catapulting them to fame or into becoming a household name.
Sometimes it happens in real-time as someone gets a particularly bad edit, and other times, the pressure creeps in when the lights and cameras are finally turned off while social media follows your every move.
The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart star Jamie Gabrielle is opening up about her struggles with mental health issues and a longtime eating disorder, both of which were ultimately heightened after she appeared on the new ABC competition show earlier this year.
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In a candid new Instagram post shared on Monday, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter revealed that what followers see online doesn’t represent the full scope of her life:
“I get a lot of DMs and comments addressing the way I look and people asking for my workout routine or how I ‘lost the weight.’ Yes, I have been working out but the truth is that I struggle with an eating disorder, depression and anxiety.”
The 21-year-old continued to open up:
“In my life I have gone from being almost overweight to being underweight, unable to sustain a healthy lifestyle. My eating disorder is something I’ve battled with since I was 14 but especially since coming off of the show it has taken over my life.”
Jamie explained she’s now speaking out about her mental health issues because she doesn’t “want to perpetuate this idea that I have been living a healthy lifestyle,” as many have suggested with celebratory comments about her weight and appearance on the platform.
However, she thinks there “is power in being honest and sharing” and decided to open up to encourage others who might be secretly struggling to do the same:
“Right now, I am working on accepting and loving myself for who I am. I hope that me sharing today can give you the courage to do so as well and to ask for help when you need it.”
Wise words, gurl! We can help break that unhealthy stigma around hiding our pain with one heartfelt post at a time.
Fans of LTYH will recall that Jamie and her ex-partner Trevor Holmes rose to fame after they made it to the season finale, but were beat out of the top prize by winners Chris Watson and Bri Stauss. The aspiring country music star often struggled with her stage presence and confidence, despite having an impressive and beautiful voice, along with unwavering support from Holmes.
A quick update for those who missed it: the pair kept dating briefly after the show ended before ultimately calling it quits. She did not mention if the split also triggered any difficult emotions for her, but she did previously tell fans on IG:
“It has been strange and honestly overwhelming to have people watch, comment, and ask about my personal life on a scale I have never experienced before. I believe I don’t ‘owe’ anyone anything and this is my life, but yes I am not in a relationship.”
Related: Bachelorette Hannah Brown Is ‘Thankful For Home’ After N-Word Controversy
Before you go, read through Jamie’s full confessional (below) and let us know if this changes your perception of reality TV stars in the comments section:
[Image via Jamie Gabrielle/Instagram/ABC/YouTube]
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