Lili Reinhart Recalls Uncomfortable on Set Comment About Her Body From Director
In a candid new sit-down with Cosmopolitan, actress Lili Reinhart opened up about the uncomfortable realities of being a woman in the film industry. While discussing her career with the cast of her latest project, Forbidden Fruits, the former Riverdale star recounted a particularly distressing experience involving an unnamed male filmmaker.
When the group was asked to share a piece of professional feedback they took to heart, Reinhart didn’t hold back, describing a moment when a director approached her between scenes. She explained that he leaned in and quietly instructed her to retract her stomach slightly while the cameras were rolling.
The revelation sparked immediate outrage from her co-stars, including Victoria Pedretti and Lola Tung, who were visibly shocked by the story. Pedretti quickly demanded to know the identity and location of the individual, while the rest of the ensemble jokingly suggested placing a “hex” on the director in question.
Although her colleagues pushed for her to name the person publicly, Reinhart declined to do so on camera, opting to share the specific details with them in private. This incident is especially significant given that Reinhart has been an outspoken advocate for body positivity and mental health for years.
She has frequently shared her personal battle with body dysmorphia and how the pressures of portraying certain characters exacerbated her insecurities. During her time on the long-running series Riverdale, she admitted to experiencing deep dissociation because her inner thoughts were entirely consumed by her physical appearance.
She previously noted that looking at promotional images from the show’s later seasons is difficult because she remembers how much she struggled with her self-image at the time.
Beyond this viral interview, the 29-year-old actress is currently celebrating the release of the horror-comedy Forbidden Fruits, which debuted in theaters and on Shudder on March 27, The film, produced by Diablo Cody and directed by Meredith Alloway, stars Reinhart as Apple, a mall employee who leads a secret coven of saleswomen.
The movie features an ensemble cast including Alexandra Shipp, Emma Chamberlain, and Gabrielle Union, and has already garnered praise for its sharp, “girl boss” satire. In addition to her work in film, Reinhart recently made a surprise appearance in the music world, starring in the music video for the BTS track “Swim.”
The video, which is part of the group’s highly anticipated Arirang album, features the actress in an emotional performance that has since trended globally. She is also set to lead the upcoming romantic drama The Love Hypothesis, based on the bestselling novel.
As she moves into this new chapter of her career, Reinhart continues to use her platform to challenge the narrow beauty standards prevalent in Hollywood. Whether it is discussing the lack of average-sized representation in media or sharing her recent journey with an endometriosis diagnosis, she remains committed to transparency.
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