When actor Jonah Hill first became famous, he looked quite a bit different than he does now. He wasn’t just younger. He also weighed a lot more.
Hill often heard negative comments about his body when he was younger. It didn’t make him feel good, but he didn’t realize at the time how bad the comments made him feel either. He was self-conscious but not entirely aware of that fact.
Only after dropping a significant amount of weight did Hill realize how much his own feelings about his body have changed. Knowing that he is comfortable with the way he looks made him realize how uncomfortable he felt when he weighed more.
On Instagram, Hill shared a screenshot of an article the Daily Mail wrote about him. The screenshot included the headline, “Jonah Hills slips into black wetsuit for surf day in Malibu…before showing off his tattoos while going shirtless to towel himself off.”
Along with the headline, the screenshot includes two photos that accompanied the article. In one photo, Hill is seen wearing a black wetsuit while surfing. In the other photo, Hill is wearing a smile but not a shirt while toweling off.
This article and the fact that he felt okay sharing it on Instagram made Hill realize how far he has come in his body image. He wrote, “I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I was in my mid 30s even in front of family and friends. Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by press and interviewers.” He added, “I’m 37 and finally love and accept myself.” He explained that the point of the post wasn’t to get sympathy but to encourage “the kids who don’t take their shirt off at the pool. Have fun. You’re wonderful and awesome and perfect.”
Even though Hill doesn’t want a pat on the back for losing weight or sympathy for feeling body shamed when he was younger, he still receives numerous comments about this body, and he doesn’t like it. He doesn’t care if the comments are meant to be flattering or not. He doesn’t think any comments about his body feel good.
In a recent Instagram post, Hill wrote, “I know you mean well but I kindly ask that you not comment on my body.”
While Hill has expressed his wishes, many people on the internet feel that his wishes will not be reality, and he needs to accept that.
…all you have to do is ignore the internet. I have to act like it doesn’t bother me to lift my arm, and show people the wrinkles.Your entire exsistence, is based on your desire to be looked at first, listened to second. How you didn’t see that before fame, I can’t help you.
— Indispensary Medical Marijuana Dispensary (@indispensaryMMJ) October 15, 2021
I mean I respect his position and all but shouldn’t he be grateful for his fans? The fans that comment on his weight (as awful as it is) are the same ones that support his career. Putting up with people being 1% rude is kind of acceptable for being made a millionaire.
— Rufus en Fuego (@RenoMcGill) October 15, 2021
Do you think Jonah Hill will get his wish and his fans will stop commenting on his body, whether good or bad?