Photo: Getty Images
Lauren Alaina just got candid about her body image struggles and her journey to self-acceptance. Her story is earning applause from fans, fellow country artists and a former supermodel who is participating alongside Alaina in an “intense” new reality series.
Supermodel Paulina Porizkova also took to Instagram with a post of her own, praising Alaina and building her up. Porizkova said “it blew my mind” to discover that the recently-inducted Grand Ole Opry member struggled with body image and feeling inferior when she knew she’d compete alongside a model on Beyond The Edge.
Porizkova said: “I saw before me an incredibly luscious young woman, beautiful, with ehm, assets other women pay for these days, and a soaring talent. This woman can sing! She is a gorgeous young woman to be envied in all departments. Yet, those old preconceived notions had wounded her, and she still bears the scars.”
She continued, acknowledging that she still bears scars of her own from childhood bullying. “Our childhoods shape us. We’re little trees, and our parents and peers and society around us shape us - like bonsai trees - into specific shapes, something we can’t overcome and outgrow - merely accept and make the best of.”
Alaina commented on the heartfelt post from Porizkova, writing “I love you,” with a red heart emoji. Then, she took to Instagram with a post of her own, sharing a few photos from the show with uplifting quotes, along with a message that stepped out of her comfort zone of her usual “silly and punny” captions. Alaina shared:
“Most of my captions are silly and punny, but I want to post something serious. My biggest internal struggle in my life has been acceptance of my body. I started struggling with feeling like I looked different than others when I was in fifth grade. The realization that my body is unique, unfortunately, in my 10 year old brain started unhealthy thinking and led to a battle with an eating disorder for many years. I have been on a journey of healing, self love and confidence for quite a few years now. I am proudly recovering from my eating disorder and can honestly say that I love and accept my body. I celebrate my curves. I love that I don’t fit the mold, but it is still hard sometimes to feel that way 100% of the time. I am so proud of my journey so far on #BeyondTheEdge on @cbstv. I am so thankful for this body God gave me and it’s ability to help me survive in the jungle and make a difference for women back home who need it.Thank you, @paulinaporizkov, for being a loving light and friendly reminder that we are all unique and beautiful just the way we are. Keep watching my journey on the show. I’m really proud of it.🍑❤️”
See Alaina’s post here:
See Porizkova’s post here: