Leo Woodall has admitted he has no desire to maintain a ‘ripped’ physique as he opened up about the pressure of playing heartthrob roles.
The actor, 28, whose latest role sees him play Bridget Jones’ toy boy Roxster in the upcoming installment, said there is ‘no reason why he should be ripped’.
After he recently explained being ‘objectified’ in heartthrob roles has left him feeling ‘vulnerable and exposed,’ the star confessed he would rather ‘sit at home and get fat’ and favours his love of ‘pizza and beer’ over having a six pack.
Starring as ELLE’s latest cover star, Leo spoke about preparing for his role in Helen Fieldings’ film adaptation.
He said: ‘It’s pressure, man. I’m someone who, when I’m not working, like at Christmas, I just want to sit at home and get fat.
‘Even with Roxster [his character in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy], there’s no reason why he should be ripped. I don’t think I am that ripped.
Leo Woodall has admitted he has no desire to maintain a ‘ripped’ physique as he opened up about the pressure of playing heartthrob roles
The actor, 28, whose latest role sees him play Bridget Jones’ toy boy Roxster in the upcoming installment, said there is ‘no reason why he should be ripped’ (pictured as Rockstar in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy)
The actor, 28, whose latest role sees him play Bridget Jones’ toy boy Roxster in the upcoming installment, said there is ‘no reason why he should be ripped’
‘It’s just hard for me because I f***ing love pizza and beer. But for this I had to really go to the gym; it’s part of the job.
‘Then I saw Chiwetel [Ejiofor, who also stars in the film] took his top off and he was so ripped. And I was thinking, “you b*****d”. I don’t even think he went to the gym!’
Being objectified has also caused Leo to avoid certain public spaces he once spent a lot of time in, particularly the London Underground.
‘I don’t really get the tube anymore,’ he said. ‘[A woman] told me her husband gets really jealous. It was just so uncomfortable.’
And he isn’t the biggest fan of fame in general, as he added: ‘It did all go a bit nuts for me.
‘At first it was, like, “oh this is cool”, and pretty quickly it just started to feel a bit icky.’
Speaking to Radio Times recently ahead of the release of Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy, Leo said objectification in his roles left him feeling ‘vulnerable and exposed’.
In terms of his rise to fame, he said: ‘I don’t like using the word “catapulted” but in terms of my career, it did have that effect.
After he recently explained being ‘objectified’ in heartthrob roles has left him feeling ‘vulnerable and exposed,’ the star confessed he would rather ‘sit at home and get fat’ and favours his love of ‘pizza and beer’ over having a six pack
Starring as ELLE ‘s latest cover star, Leo spoke about preparing for his role in Helen Fieldings’ film adaptation
He said: ‘It’s pressure, man. I’m someone who, when I’m not working, like at Christmas , I just want to sit at home and get fat’
Being objectified has also caused Leo to avoid certain public spaces he once spent a lot of time in, particularly the London Underground
‘It’s terrifying in a lot of ways. Because it was a relatively quick turnaround, suddenly I was on these big sets and then doing photoshoots and events and interviews. The filming, I’m getting more comfortable with and it’s becoming my safe haven.’
Having played the roles of love interests in most of his projects, Leo was asked if he ever feels objectified.
‘Yeah, it’s a mixed bag,’ he said. ‘In some ways it’s part of the gig. But also, there are sides of it that can make you feel quite vulnerable and exposed. That side isn’t as fun.
‘When you’re playing a role described like that, you can’t help but look at yourself and go, “Am I that guy?” There’s sometimes pressure in making people buy that.’
The actor, who is one of the faces of this years Red Nose Day alongside Claudia Winkleman and Olivia Atwood, said he thinks it’s important to work on films involving a younger man and an older female lover.
And Leo isn’t the biggest fan of fame in general, as he added: ‘It did all go a bit nuts for me’
Speaking to Radio Times recently ahead of the release of Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy, Leo said objectification in his roles left him feeling ‘vulnerable and exposed’
In terms of his rise to fame, he said: ‘I don’t like using the word “catapulted” but in terms of my career, it did have that effect
‘It’s a dynamic that has always existed in the real world’ he said.
‘And for reasons I’m not sure of, it’s now being portrayed on screen. That’s important, because that’s what film-making is best at: portraying all walks of life.
‘I didn’t go into it thinking I wanted to explore that. I thought the script was beautiful and wanted to be a part of it. I’ve always loved the films.
‘There’s only so many chances you’ll get to be a part of something as special as Bridget Jones.’
