Kristin Davis recently opened up about the intense pressure she faced to maintain a certain body image while working in Hollywood, particularly during her time on Melrose Place.
In an interview with People, the Sex and the City star recalled how the industry’s beauty standards took a toll on her. She described the atmosphere on set as challenging, with a strong emphasis on thinness. Seeing how her co-stars were all “gorgeous and super skinny,” Davis felt she had to follow suit.
In an effort to stay thin, she hired a running coach and even did back-to-back 90-minute spin classes. However, the extreme measures led to concerning health effects—she recalled moments of lightheadedness and even fainting in a parking lot. She admitted that she struggled with eating and had trouble remembering when she last had a meal.
Davis also shared a conversation she had with Melrose Place co-star Thomas Calabro, who told her he was happy to see her on set and thought she looked “great.” When she questioned what he meant, he responded that the producers were “stressed” but that he personally found it amazing to have a woman with “curves” on the show.
Confused by the remark, Davis approached a line producer for clarification. She recounted the moment, saying, “And he was like, ‘We think you look beautiful.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, and?’ And he goes, ‘Just don’t gain any weight.’”
Reflecting on the experience, Davis noted that such treatment was considered “normal” at the time, adding that having curves on set was “a situation.” She acknowledged the immense pressure placed on actresses to conform to rigid beauty standards, calling it “very stressful.”
Her experience sheds light on the toxic expectations women in Hollywood have historically faced, and while conversations around body image have evolved, Davis’ story highlights the long-standing challenges in the industry.