Natasha Rothwell has shared her pride at being a plus-size ambassador of a new wellness campaign, as she admitted that the lack of diversity when she was younger, left her feeling ‘unworthy and less than’.
The actress, 45, has partnered with sportswear brand ASICS for the Everyday Escape campaign, as the Official Everyday Escape Concierge.
It aims to show people they can improve their physical and mental health wherever they are, and don’t need to splash the cash on an expensive wellness retreat, like The White Lotus.
Natasha starred in two seasons of the award-winning series as resort spa manager Belinda Lindsey – landing two Emmy nods for the role.
A funny ad for ASICS’ campaign sees her poking fun at the HBO show and her character by encouraging people to leave the green juice, seaweed wraps, goat yoga and instead indulge in 15-minute daily movement break.
And in a new interview with The Mirror, the Insecure star revealed why the campaign is so important to her, as wellness representation has long been conflated with specific body shapes.
Natasha Rothwell has shared her pride at being a plus-size ambassador of a new wellness campaign, as she admitted that the lack of diversity when she was younger, left her feeling ‘unworthy and less than’ (seen last month)
Natasha, 45, starred in two seasons of the award-winning series as resort spa manager Belinda Lindsey – landing two Emmy nods for the role (pictured)
She admitted that she had previously felt ‘shame’ and that she didn’t have the right to be part of the health and wellness space because of her looks (seen August)
She admitted that she had previously felt ‘shame’ and that she didn’t have the right to be part of the health and wellness space because of her looks.
But she declared that she was ‘healthy and beautiful’ the way she was and voiced her pride that by being an ambassador for the campaign, others would see that being healthy didn’t mean you had to be ‘dangerously skinny’.
Natasha said: ‘I’m so proud to be an ambassador. I’m a woman of colour, plus-size — not many companies have the courage to put someone like me in a key role. But health and wellness are size-inclusive.
‘I didn’t have someone that looked like me saying that, when I was younger. I thought I had to be dangerously skinny to be healthy or desirable. Today, I know I’m healthy — and beautiful.’
She confessed to having struggled with her body image and trying to lose weight in the past, saying that not seeing body diversity on screen made people who didn’t look the same feel ‘like there’s something wrong with you.’
She said: ‘It’s a constant battle. I’ve tried so many ridiculous faddy diets… but none of them worked. It’s a privilege to have had a therapist and mental health resources for 20-plus years, to help me fight that continuous assault against who I am.
But she declared that she was ‘healthy and beautiful’ the way she was and voiced her pride that by being an ambassador for the campaign, others would see that being healthy didn’t mean you had to be ‘dangerously skinny’ (seen in April)
‘When you’re in a body not seen regularly on film and TV, it makes you feel like there’s something wrong with you. You can turn into yourself, and feel unworthy, less than.’
In a statement for ASICS’ campaign, Natasha insisted that people can get more lasting mental wellbeing benefits from an ‘everyday escape’ taking a 15 minute walk or dance, than from a week at a luxury wellness resort.
The triple-Emmy nominee said: ‘Your Everyday Escape could be a walk, a stretch, a dance in your kitchen. It’s free, it’s simple, and it’s yours.
‘Wellness shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be something we can all access, every day. When we move, we feel better. And that’s the kind of escape everyone deserves.’
