Chrissy Metz Recalls ‘Devastating’ Treatment From Stepfather

In a recent episode of her podcast, Chrissy Metz opened up to Jamie Kern Lima about the struggles she faced due to her weight, particularly the emotional and psychological abuse from her stepfather. This episode aired on October 22, as reported exclusively by PEOPLE.

Reflecting On Childhood Trauma

Metz reflected on her childhood, recalling how her stepfather’s negative remarks made her question her self-worth, asking, “Why does my weight equate my worthiness?” At the age of 12, she found it challenging to reconcile her self-image with the messages she received from him.

She described how her stepfather would weigh her in the kitchen and even threatened to lock away food, saying, “I don’t think you get it.” Now 44, Metz stated, “It was definitely mental, physical, emotional abuse for sure.” She elaborated on the lasting effects of such comments, likening them to “little nicks, little cuts” that eventually lead to profound pain.

Metz also discussed her experiences of feeling out of place during her adolescence. “You look like none of your other friends and you can’t fit into any of the cute Wet Seal clothes that they can fit into. You’re like, ‘Oh, let me borrow your necklace’,” she explained. “All the boys liked my friends — and I always felt like I was setting my friends up with cute boys.”

Working On Healing Past Wounds

Currently, Metz is working on healing these past wounds, acknowledging that it’s a slow and difficult process. She pointed out the stigma surrounding weight, noting, “there’s so much stigma about weight, and there still is for a myriad of reasons, but I think there’s this idea that like, ‘Oh, you can’t put the food down’ or ‘You’re lazy.’ ‘Oh, you can’t control your eating’ or ‘You’re lazy.’”

Metz criticized society’s unrealistic standards of beauty, stating that while models are often celebrated, they may not always prioritize their health. In contrast, she pointed out that being overweight comes with a unique set of judgments.

Reflecting on her experiences traveling by air, she remarked on how perceptions have shifted since gaining fame. “Before the show, I could go on an airplane and someone could not want to sit next to me if they were too squished or they were going to be like, ’Oh, gosh, here comes a big girl that I have to sit next to,’” she shared.

However, now that she’s recognized on television, others seem more eager to engage with her.

“It’s still something that my friends and I talk about because what does it really even mean? What could I provide to them or what insight could I share with them? I don’t know. Do they feel cooler sitting next to someone who’s famous? I don’t know.” Metz pondered, expressing her confusion about the change in treatment she experienced. “That kind of behavior … it makes you not want to trust people,” she concluded.

In her conversation, Metz also emphasized how her upbringing under such scrutiny influenced her relationships and self-perception, revealing that the journey toward understanding and forgiveness continues.

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