Rebel Wilson: Weight loss helped me become versatile actress
Rebel Wilson, who played a character named 'Fat Amy' in the 'Pitch Perfect' movies, made headlines for undergoing a weight loss journey in 2020.
'When I lost weight in 2020, that weirdly made me more versatile as an actress, even though I had the same skills,' the star told the Post while promoting her new movie 'Juliet & Romeo' (in theaters May 9).
The Australian actress, 45, is 'playing against type' in her new role, she said.
Previously, she often played comic relief parts, and now she's playing a Shakespearean mother.
7 Rebel Wilson in Sept 2024.
rebelwilson/Instagram
7 Rebel Wilson in 'Juliet & Romeo.'
7 Rebel Wilson in 2012's 'Pitch Perfect 2.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
The movie musical is a re-imagining of the famous Shakespeare story, starring Wilson as Lady Capulet, 'The White Lotus' star Jason Isaacs as Lord Montague, Clara Rugaard as Juliet, and Jamie Ward as Romeo. Sir Derek Jacobi plays The Friar.
'Seeing me in these Hollywood glossy comedies, you wouldn't expect me to do a turn as Lady Capulet. But I was a new mother when I got offered this role, and Lady Capulet's like an iconic Shakespearean mother – normally played quite villainously, although I tried to give it a little bit more empathy,' Wilson told The Post.
'I think people see you differently [after weight loss] and can imagine you more easily in different roles,' she added of her physical change. 'So I think that probably had the biggest effect.'
7 Rebel Wilson on May 6, 2025.
rebelwilson/Instagram
Wilson lost around 80 pounds in 2020, which she called her 'year of health' challenge.
'It's interesting, was there some people in the business that called me back that didn't call me back when I was very overweight? I mean, maybe it's just the intention of losing weight that came with it,' she went on. 'Or, you read some psychological studies that say you're more visible than to some people.'
7 Rebel Wilson in 'Juliet & Romeo.'
7 Rebel Wilson in 'Pitch Perfect.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Five years after her transformation, the way people treat her now has 'mellowed out a bit.'
'I think people treat me pretty much the same now,' she noted. 'Sometimes I'm a healthier version, and other times I'm still struggling [with] emotional eating and stuff. I try to stay more on the healthy side.'
The 'Isn't It Romantic' star, meanwhile, doesn't think she would have taken the role as Juliet's mom in 'Juliet & Romeo' if she herself hadn't become a mother.
7 Rebel Wilson in 'Juliet & Romeo.'
The 'Bridesmaids' actress welcomed daughter Royce via surrogacy in 2022.
She went on to tie the knot with girlfriend Ramona Agruma in Sept. 2024.
'I don't put myself first. By being an actor, being a performer, as part of your job, you're a bit self-absorbed. You just have to go the opposite once you have a child,' she explained. 'I can't just leave the house. I've got to be always thinking about my daughter and what's good for her. And I think that's changed me in a really positive way.'
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