Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers has opened up about the childhood body image issues that led to a six-year battle with a harrowing eating disorder.
The Adelaide model, 29, on Wednesday took to Instagram to share two photos of herself as a shy-looking pre-teen, dressed in swimwear and a Billabong wetsuit.
Olivia, a speech pathologist who was crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2017, said she finds it difficult to look back on her younger self who was clearly ‘awkward’, ‘anxious’ and ‘incredibly uncomfortable’ in her own skin.
‘Body dissatisfaction starts young. I found these pictures of me at my dad’s over the weekend and I immediately wished that I could give my younger self a hug,’ she began.
‘I think it’s quite clear just how insecure I was.’
Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers (pictured in 2021) has opened up about the childhood body image issues that led to a six-year battle with a harrowing eating disorder
The Adelaide model, 29, on Wednesday took to Instagram to share two photos of herself as a shy looking pre-teen, dressed in swimwear (pictured) and a Billabong wetsuit
Olivia recalled feeling ‘incredibly uncomfortable’ in her own skin and taking great pains to avoid smiling with her mouth open because she didn’t like her teeth.
‘I felt awkward and anxious and I didn’t want to take up any more space in the world,’ she explained.
The beauty queen said she felt her body was ‘wrong’ and believed she would be more likeable it she was thinner.
Olivia added that comments about her weight – even innocent ones – ‘planted the seed’ for the eating disorder she would develop as a teenager.
Looking back on the photos, she said she sees nothing wrong with her body but at the time was heavily influenced by the diet culture of the early 2000s when celebrities wore skinniness as a badge of honour.
Olivia (pictured as a young girl) recalled feeling ‘incredibly uncomfortable’ in her own skin and taking great pains to avoid smiling with her mouth open because she didn’t like her teeth
The beauty queen (pictured in 2021) said she felt her body was ‘wrong’ and believed she would be more likeable it she was thinner
Olivia said she wishes she could tell her younger self to be kinder to herself, to surround herself with true friends and that she is perfect the way she is.
‘I would tell her to focus on being true to herself, and not to worry about her looks because her looks are the least interesting thing about her,’ she added.
Olivia ended her post by encouraging fans to support the Butterfly Foundation, a Victoria-based organisation that represents Australians affected by eating disorders and negative body image issues.
‘Young people who struggle with poor body image are more likely to continue experiencing this in adulthood and are at greater risk of developing more serious body image and eating issues in their life, just like I did,’ she said.
The honest admission, which has amassed more than 11,200 ‘likes’ since it was uploaded online two days ago, proved instantly relatable.
Olivia (pictured in 2020) said she wishes she could tell her younger self to be kinder to herself, to surround herself with true friends and that she is perfect the way she is
Fans and friends instantly related to the model’s honest admission
‘Ohhh man, I remember my panic in the lead up to the swimming carnival! It was horrid. Thanks for sharing angel,’ fellow Miss Universe Tegan Martin, who received the crown in 2014, replied.
Another woman added: ‘I feel so seen. You are such an amazing role model.’
It’s not the first time Olivia has spoken publicly about her struggles with body image.
Last year, the blonde bombshell took to Instagram to share candid photos taken when she was in the grips of her eating disorder.
The shots were captured when Olivia was just 19 and painfully thin.
‘These photos were taken when I was deep in the grip of my eating disorder,’ she wrote in the caption.
Last year, Olivia took to Instagram to share candid photos taken when she was in the grips of her eating disorder (the model is pictured aged 19)
‘Looking at them was triggering for me for a long time. I don’t have many photos from that period, I deleted most of them because they were painful to look at.’
She added: ‘Over a few months, I had restricted my diet so significantly, to the point where I was starving myself and over exercising.’
At the height of her battle, Olivia claimed she was ‘consistently told’ by modelling agencies that she was ‘doing really well’ and should be proud of herself.
That praise was the beginning of a six-year battle with an eating disorder and a toxic relationship with exercise, she said.
At the height of her eating disorder, Olivia (pictured aged 19) claimed she was ‘consistently told’ by modelling agencies that she was ‘doing really well’ and should be proud of herself
Olivia admitted she still experiences a flood of emotions when she sees photos of herself from that time.
‘I feel deeply sad remembering my mindset at that time, and seeing how young and vulnerable I was,’ she said.
Olivia concluded that today she feels an ‘overwhelming sense’ of relief and gratitude, knowing how far she has come.
For help and support with eating disorders or body image issues, please call Butterfly’s National Helpline on 1800 334 673 or email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au.