Taylor Lautner brought the werewolf character to life across five feature films, his muscular and attractive physique became a focal point.
However, behind this desirable appearance lay a story of intense pressure and body image issues that Taylor Lautner has now revealed.
Taylor Lautner, widely recognized for his role as Jacob Black in the Twilight saga, underwent a well-documented transformation to embody his character's evolution from a teenager to a formidable werewolf.
Reflecting on his experience after the Twilight series, Lautner shared that, even though body image issues are often associated with women, the pressure of being seen as someone with a perfect physique took a toll on him. He admitted, "When I had that physique, between 16 and 20 years old, starring in this franchise in which my character is known for taking off his shirt every now and then, no, I didn't know that it was affecting me or was going to affect me in the future in terms of the perception of my body image."
"But looking back now, it certainly did affect me and would continue to affect me later."
The actor's dramatic physical transformation was necessitated by his role as a werewolf, requiring him to transition from a slender teenager to a captivating icon of physical prowess. Lautner revealed that he had to adhere to a rigorous regimen, consuming 3,200 calories daily and engaging in five days of exercise each week to achieve the desired physique.
Recalling that period, Lautner confessed that the Twilight saga seemed like "everything in his life." "In the first movie, I weighed 63 kilos. By 'New Moon,' I was at 79. So yes, that wasn't my natural body. I had to work very hard to gain that physique and also to maintain it."
However, after years of feeling "compelled to be in a gym multiple times a day, six days a week," Lautner eventually rebelled against the constant workouts and ceased his fitness routine.
"When you no longer have the desire to go to the gym, your physique begins to change. I started to have a more typical body," Lautner shared.
As a result of these changes, some fans created comparative image montages, subjecting Lautner to criticism that persisted over the years and took a toll on his mental well-being.
Lautner offers a powerful message: "Don't seek happiness in striving for a particular body image. Don't believe that shedding 10 kilograms or gaining muscle will instantly lead to waking up, looking in the mirror, and feeling content. That's not where your true value lies."
