Jesinta Franklin reveals she struggled with body image in her early modelling days

Jesinta Franklin has revealed that she wasn’t always kind to herself in her early modelling days. 

The 31-year-old, who often walked the runway for swimwear brands, says she once felt anxious about her looks. 

‘Back in the day, I probably had a lot of anxiety, which has eased a lot now… I used to put a lot of pressure on myself,’ she tells Stellar Magazine this week. 

‘I used to really watch what I would eat before a shoot and be really strict on myself, and restrictive’. 

Jesinta went on to explain that she would rather quit the modelling industry than put herself through the same stress again. 

‘I think I’ve grown up. I actually have respect for myself and I look after my body in better ways’ she explained. 

‘I used to be really harsh on myself and probably [had] body image issues as well, if I’m being totally honest. 

‘And now I’m like, “Well, I’m showing up as me”. And if I’m not good enough, then I’d prefer to bow out of the industry than put pressure on myself to be something that’s unhealthy’ Jesinta concluded. 

During her second pregnancy in 2021, the former Miss Universe Australia detailed her struggle with body image and ‘self love’ after becoming a mother.

‘I used to be really harsh on myself and probably [had] body image issues as well, if I’m being totally honest’ she said. Pictured in 2010

‘Back in the day, I probably had a lot of anxiety, which has eased a lot now… I used to put a lot of pressure on myself,’ she tells Stellar Magazine this week. Pictured in 2016

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Jesinta, who is married to AFL star Lance ‘ Buddy’ Franklin, said it’s been a long journey ‘of self-love’ and ‘learning to love my new body’.

‘Your body goes through so many changes when you’re pregnant, I probably don’t feel as confident as I used to feel in a swimsuit,’ she added.

The model revealed with her first pregnancy that she gained 18 kilograms, but said she was unbothered by it in an Instagram Q&A.  

‘I was working too much, training too hard and not eating enough as I was always on the go,’ she said, prior to getting pregnant.  

‘Since giving birth, I just look at my body in awe now. I cannot believe I grew and birthed a little human, it is truly amazing and I am so grateful,’ Jesinta added.

During her second pregnancy in 2021, the former Miss Universe Australia detailed her struggle with body image and ‘self love’ after becoming a mother