Plus-Size Model: Anorexia Felt Like 'the Flu Times 10'

Crystal Renn recalls battle back to good health

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 5:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – In her teens, Crystal Renn punished herself relentlessly in pursuit of her dream of becoming a model. After years of self-inflicted hell, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Renn has found success by being herself—she is now the world's highest-paid plus-size model. Time chats with her:

On her introduction to modeling: "One day a scout came up to me and said 'Oh my gosh, you're going to be the next supermodel.' I didn't even know what that meant. He pulled out a picture of Gisele and said, 'This is who you can be.' But he said I had to lose nine inches off my hips."

On life as a size 0: "I would go to 10 castings followed by a trip to the gym for three to four hours and sometimes even up to eight hours. I would eat lettuce and vegetables all day long, but I would think about food all of the time. I would wake up sometimes feeling like I had the flu times 10.
On losing her eating disorder: "I remember making the decision to eat again. It was pretty amazing. My first meal was what many would regard as very healthy: a salad with salmon, walnuts and olive oil. At the time, I feared that I would gain 100 pounds with one bite."

To see the complete Q-and-A, click the link below.

This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of "Hungry" A Young Model's Story of Appetite,Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves", by Crystal Renn. (AP Photo/Simon & Schuster)

FILE- This Oct. 4, 2005 file photo shows French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier taking the catwalk with model Crystal Renn at the end of the presentation of his Spring/Summer ready to wear 2006 collection,... (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of "Hungry" A Young Model's Story of Appetite,Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves", by Crystal Renn. (AP Photo/Simon & Schuster)

This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of "Hungry" A Young Model's Story of Appetite,Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves", by Crystal Renn. (AP Photo)

This photo released by PMK shows model Crystal Renn in her early career. (AP Photo/ PMK,Justin Macala)

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Plus-Size Model: Anorexia Felt Like 'the Flu Times 10'

Crystal Renn recalls battle back to good health

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Eating Disorders Hit 500K Teens

3% of teens affected by binge-eating, bulimia, or anorexia

Too Much Facebook May Lead to Eating Disorder

Study: The more time teen girls spend on network, greater their chances

Anorexic Women Have More Abortions

...and many more unplanned pregnancies

What Happened to Crystal Renn's Curves?

Agent reassures us she's not being unhealthy

How Gemma Ward Got Too 'Fat' to Model

Once touted as the next big thing, model simply got too big

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Plus-Size Model: Anorexia Felt Like 'the Flu Times 10'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

anorexia • eating disorder • model • interview • eating disorders • Jay-ZTV • Crystal Renn • plus-size • fashion model

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Eating Disorders Hit 500K Teens

3% of teens affected by binge-eating, bulimia, or anorexia

Too Much Facebook May Lead to Eating Disorder

Study: The more time teen girls spend on network, greater their chances

Anorexic Women Have More Abortions

...and many more unplanned pregnancies

What Happened to Crystal Renn's Curves?

Agent reassures us she's not being unhealthy

How Gemma Ward Got Too 'Fat' to Model

Once touted as the next big thing, model simply got too big

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Newser By Users

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