Emma Willis has revealed she was told to ‘lose weight right away’ when she began modelling as a size 10 teenager.
The television presenter, 43, explained she was glad to leave her catwalk career behind, admitting photographers would only ever shoot her from ‘above the knees’ because she ‘didn’t have model-skinny legs’.
The mother-of-three opened up about body confidence in an interview and cover shoot for the new June issue of Women’s Health magazine.
‘I didn’t have model-skinny legs’: Emma Willis has revealed she was told to ‘lose weight right away’ when she began modelling as a size 10 teenager
Emma explained: ‘I was 18 years old and a size 10 when I started modelling, but I was told to lose weight right away.
‘And I would only ever be shot from above the knees, because I didn’t have model-skinny legs.
‘I was extremely happy when that part of my career fizzled out and telly happened, because I didn’t have to think about it any more.’
Emma – who is a mother to Isabelle, nine, Ace, seven, and Trixie, three, with musician husband Matt, 35 – said she grew to love her body in her 30s because it had produced her children.
Healthy and happy: The mother-of-three, 43, opened up about body confidence in an interview and cover shoot for the new June issue of Women’s Health magazine
Mum’s the word: Emma said she grew to love her body in her 30s because it had produced her children; Isabelle, nine, Ace, seven, and Trixie, three
She said: ‘It’s funny because, when I was younger, my body was “better”, but I was more insecure about it.
‘Then, in my 30s, I had children, so I loved my body because of what it had produced.
‘I’m also more aware as I get older of being healthy, and taking care of my body from the inside, rather than thinking about how it looks from the outside. I want it to last for as long as possible.
‘[I’m] doing it to live, rather than because you want to fit into a pretty dress. Which seems bonkers looking back at it.
‘The older I’ve got, the better my relationship with my body has become, and that’s because of my mindset.’
Confidence: The presenter admitted photographers would only ever shoot her from ‘above the knees’ because she ‘didn’t have model-skinny legs’ (Pictured modelling the Gossard Superboost bra aged 25)
She said: ‘In my 30s, I had children, so I loved my body because of what it had produced’
Emma explained she is conscious not to discuss weight or body image too much around her children, and would rather focus on ‘their character’ than the way they look.
She told the publication: ‘I tell my children they’re beautiful, but that’s more about their character as the way they look.
‘We never talk about size or what’s “normal”, as everyone is unique. And I definitely don’t mention things that might worry me about my own body in front of them.
‘I can’t remember my mum ever talking in a negative way about her body. We grew up seeing her in a bikini on holiday, or getting out of the shower.
‘We’ve always been quite open in that respect.’
Happy couple: The Voice UK host has been married to Busted rocker Matt Willis, 35, for over 10 years (pictured together in February)
The Voice UK host also discussed how she had to recently ‘reassess everything’ in regards to diet and fitness after an unexplained bout of ill-health.
She said: ‘Normally, I’m a very positive, happy person and suddenly I wasn’t, and that really affected me.
‘I went to see a nutritionist, who did some tests, and it turned out to be lots of different things that were all over the place.
‘Stress, inflammation in my body, as well as being puffy and bloated, and I was just knackered.
‘You don’t realise that those things affect your body in the way that they do, until you’re not in a good place. I had to reassess everything.’
Throwback: The presenter began working as a model in Australia when she was just 18 (Pictured at 25)
Wake-up call: The TV host also discussed how she had to recently ‘reassess everything’ in regards to diet and fitness an unexplained bout of ill-health
In the wake of receiving her blood tests, the television presenter has now adopted a more ‘sporadic’ approach to exercise, favouring reformer Pilates classes once or twice a week.
‘I’ve had to reassess everything because of blood test [results],’ Emma explained. ‘I was knackered, really – so my approach to exercise is quite sporadic.
‘I was recommended training that didn’t put any extra stress on my body, so I’ve been doing reformer Pilates once or twice a week if I can. And I love it.’
Emma is an ambassador for Project Body Love – Women’s Health’s biggest ever campaign to improve the body confidence of UK women and girls.
Read the full interview in the June edition of Women’s Health – on sale May 7.
Relax: In the wake of receiving her blood tests, the television presenter has now adopted a more ‘sporadic’ approach to exercise, favouring reformer Pilates classes once or twice a week