The modelling industry has had its fair share of criticism over its negative messages about body image.
Former Miss Universe Australia, Olivia Molly Rogers, has spoken out about her journey back to self love after battling an insecurity from her time as a model.
Taking to Instagram, the 31-year-old posted a video of herself running on the beach with a message written over the clip.
“I never used to run in shorts, even on really hot days/in Bali,” she wrote. “I would wear long tights because the modelling industry made me so self conscious of my legs.”
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Rogers confessed that during her time modelling when she was young, “negative comments” about her legs from agents and photographers stuck with her.
”They were my biggest insecurity for the longest time and something I struggled with enormously during my eating disorder,” she added.
The model made sure to note that the way she viewed her body has changed over time.
“Now I wear short shorts, I feel my legs move, the shorts ride up and it doesn’t bother me,” she wrote.
“Instead I’m focusing on other things – cute dogs on the beach, friendly people, the colours of Bali, the waves, my pace and how good running makes me feel.”
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Acknowledging that her post was made with her fully aware of the privilege she holds as an “able bodied, straight sized and white” woman, Rogers noted the point was to share her experience and let others know that “recovery and body acceptance is possible”.
This isn’t the first time the mental health advocate has been open about her eating disorder or relationship with her body.
In 2020 Rogers posted a series of snaps of herself at aged 19 that were taken when she was “deep in the grip of my eating disorder”.
“Looking at them was triggering for me for a long time,” she said of the photos. “I don’t have many photos from that period, I deleted most of them because they were painful to look at.”
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While speaking to 9Honey earlier this year, the model said of self love: ”To me, self love means caring for yourself and knowing that you are worthy of happiness no matter what.”
She added: “Self love is about putting yourself first, taking care of your emotional and physical needs and not sacrificing your needs to please anybody else.”
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues should contact: Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or email [email protected]
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