Brittany Snow’s Second Act

The Struggle with Anorexia: A Personal Battle

Brittany Snow’s journey into the entertainment industry began at a young age. Born in Tampa, Florida, she landed her first major role at 12 on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. However, behind this professional success lay a personal battle with mental health issues that would shape her life profoundly.

By the time Snow was 21, she had received several treatments for anorexia, exercise bulimia, depression, and self-harm.

In 2007, she penned an essay for People magazine titled “My Nine-Year Struggle With Anorexia,” revealing the depths of her struggles. “The People magazine article was me trying to get ahead of the narrative and owning my story,” Snow recalls. Yet, reflecting on this decision, she acknowledges it may have been premature.

A New Chapter: Recovery and Resilience

Her first stint at an inpatient rehab center began when she was 19 but was cut short to film the 2006 movie John Tucker Must Die. In 2007, Snow received significant support from her parents as they pulled her out of a risky situation. She enrolled in an outpatient program for a year, which became a turning point in her recovery.

“In rehab, I found there was a lot of relying on the fact that you’re in walls, you’re in a place,” Snow says. “You’re not going out to dinner, you’re not having to order at a restaurant, you’re not having to be with your friends when they’re all having ice cream and drinking.” This challenge was replaced by outpatient treatment, where she had to navigate the complexities of daily life while maintaining her sobriety.

Returning to Acting: A Fresh Perspective

The actress credits therapy and self-care for helping her recover. “I think rewiring my brain where I could count on myself and I could trust myself, I could be in a space and feel like I wasn’t going to do something harmful to myself, was the best thing that ever could have happened to my recovery,” she says.

When Snow returned to Hollywood, her first big role was in Pitch Perfect (2012). This film offered a character who was just happy to be there, mirroring Snow’s own feelings of gratitude. “I was so grateful, staying after hours,” she recalls. “Everybody was complaining about the long shoots and I was like, ‘This is amazing…’ It really was special to me.”

Now, in her 30s, Snow stars in projects that challenge her to confront vulnerability on screen, such as The Hunting Wives. This role requires her to be naked in front of the world, a stark contrast from her early career. “It always is when you’re doing something so personal in front of a crew,” she says, noting how collaborative it was with co-star Malin Akerman.

Current Projects and Future Goals

Snow’s latest projects include The Hunting Wives, which explores themes of murder and the patriarchy. “Energetically what’s being called in is that I love figuring things out—puzzle pieces,” she explains, adding that these roles reflect her personal growth journey.

Reflecting on her recovery, Snow emphasizes the importance of self-care: “I started realizing that I was eating whatever I wanted. The practice has completely changed my way of thinking about my body.” She is working on upholding this ethos through her writing community, September Letters, and plans to have kids in the future.

“I am the happiest I’ve ever been,” she says, adding that she sees a holistic therapist who does EMDR and hypnotherapy. “I know the truth… That’s all that matters.” Snow remains focused on her characters and their journeys, transforming her body into a running joke rather than an obsession.