Jonah Hill has asked the public to stop talking about his body—even if the remarks are complimentary.
“I know you mean well but I kindly ask that you not comment on my body, good or bad,” he wrote in a message posted to Instagram on Wednesday. “I want to politely let you know it’s not helpful and doesn’t feel good. Much respect.”
The post came just minutes after Us magazine published an article titled, Jonah Hill Shows Off Dramatic Weight Loss: See the Before and After Pictures. The piece highlighted Hill’s weight loss journey, which reportedly began back in 2011, when he dropped serious pounds for Moneyball opposite Brad Pitt. Since then, the public has seen Hill’s weight fluctuate, drawing a mix of both positive and negative reactions.
During a 2018 appearance on The Ellen Show, the actor opened up about his childhood struggles with body image and how people’s harsh words stayed with him into adulthood.
“I think everybody has a version of themselves ― I call it a snapshot ― at some point in life, trying to hide from the world,” he said. “Even if you get success or grow up or become good-looking or whatever … you kind of carry some part of that with you. For me, it’s definitely being like this 14-year-old kid, being overweight, wanting to fit in with these skaters and hip-hop kids, and just feeling lonely and maybe not understanding my own worth.”
Hill is now gearing up for the release of Don’t Look Up, a sci-fi black comedy in which he stars alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Timothée Chalamet, Scott Mescudi, Cate Blanchett, and Meryl Streep. The film, directed by Adam McKay, will premiere Dec. 10 on Netflix.
