Mikyla Dodd, best known for her role as Chloe Bruce on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks,
has opened up about her personal struggles with weight loss and her ongoing battle with an eating disorder.
Now 47, the actress has embarked on a new venture, joining a star-studded cast in an upcoming film,
A Day With An Eating Disorder, which aims to shed light on the realities of eating disorders and break the stigma surrounding them.
A Journey of Struggles and Triumphs
Mikyla rose to fame in the early 2000s, playing Chloe Bruce in Hollyoaks during her twenties.
While she enjoyed success on-screen, behind the scenes, she was dealing with personal battles related to her weight and self-image. At her heaviest, Mikyla weighed 24 stone, a reality that deeply affected her mental and physical well-being.
Determined to make a change, she embarked on a weight loss journey that saw her shed nine stone. However, rather than achieving a sense of satisfaction, she found herself caught in a cycle of binge-eating, an experience many struggling with disordered eating can relate to. Despite reaching a significantly lower weight, her relationship with food remained complex and challenging.
Raising Awareness Through Film
Mikyla is now using her personal experience to contribute to an important cause. She is set to appear in A Day With An Eating Disorder, a powerful new film that provides a voice for those grappling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive eating disorders. The film, spearheaded by writer and filmmaker Lynn Crilly, aims to highlight the realities of these conditions and foster greater understanding and compassion.
Joining Mikyla in the project are notable names such as EastEnders star Sid Owen and reality TV personality Jess Impiazzi. The film is being supported by SANE, a mental health charity, and comes 20 years after Lynn Crilly’s daughter, Samantha, was diagnosed with an eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Through this initiative, Mikyla hopes to contribute to a wider conversation about the impact of eating disorders and the importance of early intervention and support.
Speaking Out About Her Experience
Mikyla has been candid about her struggles, explaining how her thoughts around food have dominated her daily life. “I’ve got a very challenging relationship with food,” she admitted. “It dominates my thoughts most of my waking hours.” She also revealed that a close family member has struggled with anorexia nervosa, making the topic even more personal for her.
She believes that early intervention can make a significant difference in a person’s journey toward a healthier relationship with food. “Getting people when they’re younger and seeing the difference it makes really improves the trajectory to a normal, healthy life and experience with food,” she stated.
Mikyla has also emphasized the importance of empathy, saying, “Nobody knows what’s going on behind somebody’s eyes. We all have our own struggles. What we need is a little bit more humility and a little bit more positivity towards each other.”
A Memoir That Sparked Conversations
Back in 2007, Mikyla released her memoir, The Fat Girl From Hollyoaks, in which she detailed her experiences with weight loss, self-esteem issues, and the pressure of being in the public eye. The book resonated with many who have faced similar battles, making her a voice for those struggling with body image and eating disorders.
Since then, she has remained open about her ongoing journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. She acknowledges that overcoming an eating disorder is not a one-size-fits-all process and that finding the right support system is crucial. “One way will work for one person, and what’s key is getting the right therapist, the right help, and the right network around you. One size doesn’t fit all.”
A Film With a Mission
A Day With An Eating Disorder is expected to be released later this year, providing insight into the complexities of eating disorders while giving a platform to those affected. The film aims to educate audiences on the struggles that individuals face daily and offer hope to those who may be going through similar experiences.
Mikyla’s participation in the project is not just another acting role—it is a personal mission to advocate for awareness and change. Her willingness to speak openly about her experiences will undoubtedly resonate with many and help drive conversations about mental health and eating disorders in a more understanding and compassionate direction.
As she continues her career in acting and advocacy, Mikyla remains committed to supporting those who struggle with disordered eating and body image issues. Her journey is a testament to resilience, and her voice in A Day With An Eating Disorder is sure to leave a lasting impact.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
