Model Opens Up About Her Anxiety Issues, Receives Overwhelming Response

By : On : 19 Feb 2017 00:05
0 Shares

Former super model Emily Bador has received an overwhelming response after opening up about her issues with anxiety on Instagram.

In an age where it’s all too easy to be cynical about anything on social media-to the point you feel like you can’t say what’s on your mind without getting mercilessly trolled it was a brave, but necessary, move for Bador to speak out.

Having worked for the likes of Beyonce’s Ivy Park, Unif and Tatler her modelling career was looking promising, however, she came to realise she had an unhealthy issue with her body. Because of this she took an extended break from world of modelling and high fashion.

Since her long sabbatical she feels like she’s on the right path again, culminating in this inspiring post in December.

View this post on Instagram

i'm gonna be honest, the industry needs to change. man oh man i'm tired of it. on the left is july 2015, my lowest weight. i can't tell you how much i weighed but i can tell you i was size 4/6 and my waist only measured 23 inches. i can also tell you i thought i was fat. i've always had a few body image issues but since becoming a model, they've skyrocketed. at work, i've always felt like i didn't belong, i've always been short, and mixed race. i'd been modelling for just over a year, and going to castings made me feel super insecure. every time i didn't get a call back from my casting i'd start to wonder why. was i too fat? during 2015, i became obsessive with my measurements and clothes sizes. i exercised daily and i would never even look at any carbs let alone eat them. it started making me physically sick, dizzy, exhausted, etc. i ended up getting to a point where i'd have daily panic attacks about getting dressed, and couldn't even leave my bed in fear of catching my reflection in the mirror. at this time, i also started getting the most work i've ever had and travelling all over world. which, instilled in me "the thinner i am, the more work i'm gonna get". my hatred for myself became so overwhelming i knew something had to change, i took some time out and finally got working on loving myself. and today, for the first time in a long time, i felt good about myself this morning. i struggle with getting dressed sometimes, catching my reflection can occasionally hurt still and i have panic attacks now and again but i am getting there. sometimes i forget that self love is a journey. we have to call on this system to change. we need diversity. all bodies, differently abled, shaped, coloured, sized, gendered and aged. diversity is so important. representation is so important. i'm sick and tired of seeing amazing, talented, beautiful women hate themselves because they don't look like that VS model or whatever. too many young women suffer from mental health issues which stem from the pressure of today's media. ✨you are more than your appearance, you are strong and resilient and you are beautiful no matter what and i really hope you remember that✨

A post shared by e m i l y bador (@darth_bador) on

Since the post she’s been flooded with messages of support prompting her to keep uploading body positive images for her 81.6K followers. Bador admitted that she felt worried that she wouldn’t be able to book jobs – but now she really doesn’t give a fuck!

Speaking to Elle she firmly states that these are her ‘views’ and she’s ‘proud to have them’, Bador explained:

… there’s a large audience out there too which think the same way as me, so if a client didn’t agree with that, then I’m not bothered.

One look at her Instagram page and you’ll see she’s very socially aware as well-or ‘woke’, if you like. As well promoting body confidence she’s an advocate for LGBTQ rights (she identifies as cis-gender) and refugees seeking asylum.

Furthermore, despite being mixed raced Emily understands that she’s ‘whitepassing’ and is well aware of her own privilege telling Elle:

I think having an awareness of privilege just makes people have more empathy for one another, which in this day and age, I think we really need.

Emily Bador’s willingness to speak out about such issues represents the ever growing change in attitudes within fashion and the modelling industry.

She joins the likes of Ashley Graham and Iskra Lawrence who are using their Instagram accounts to spread a positive message to love the body you’re in.

Keep fighting the good fight guys!

Topics: ,

Credits

Elle UK

  1. Elle UK

    This Model Burst The Door Open On Her Anxiety Issues And Got An Amazing Response