Taylor Swift is pulling back the curtain on a deeply personal chapter of her life—her struggle with body image and disordered eating.
In her Netflix documentary Miss Americana, the global pop superstar candidly revealed that years of paparazzi photos and relentless commentary about her appearance took a serious toll on her mental and physical health. Swift admitted that she once believed it was “normal” to feel like she might faint during or after performances, brushing off the warning signs as part of the job.
“I used to think it was normal to feel like I might faint at the end or even during a show,” she shared in the film. Over time, she realized that proper nutrition and strength training—not restriction—were the keys to sustaining her demanding tour schedule. “It’s been a game-changer for my well-being,” she explained, adding that she now feels stronger and healthier on stage than ever before.
Swift also addressed how public scrutiny distorted her perception of her own body. She revealed that being a size 6—rather than the ultra-thin size 00 she once tried to maintain—is actually her body’s natural state. “I just couldn’t see it back then,” she admitted, noting that she’s far less affected by comments about weight gain today.
Her openness has sparked wider conversations about body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental health condition marked by obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws. While BDD and eating disorders are distinct diagnoses, body image distress can increase the risk of developing unhealthy behaviors such as extreme dieting, binge eating, or purging. Swift’s story highlights how even those at the top of their field aren’t immune to the pressures of appearance-driven industries.
By sharing her experience, Swift has helped normalize conversations around body image, self-worth, and mental health—reminding fans that strength, not size, is what truly sustains a superstar.
