It is no secret that nowadays there is a lot of pressure on women to look a certain way. Here are some thoughts and quotes from celebrities on body image: 

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Kate Hudson

Actress Kate Hudson recently shattered all rumors that she has an eating disorder in an interview with Red.  She explained, “and, if there is one thing I will never have, it is an eating disorder. I won’t have girls – even if it is just one or two who care – thinking that. Because it’s a serious sickness, not something to plaster on the cover of a magazine. And I am the opposite.’  She furthered her statement saying: "I want girls to love themselves. I want them to feel good about who they are…The thing is, I'm lucky because I was loved. But I have seen so many young women who can't feel good about themselves because they just don't have…that love."

Hudson reminds us that this pressure does not just apply to girls in school but extends to women and celebrities as well.  

Kerry Washington

The star of TV show "Scandal" discussed her struggle with an eating disorder with Essence in 2007.  She described herself as “driven towards perfectionism” and that it was only after her dance teacher approached her that she began to seek treatment. 

"I started therapy, which I still do today," explains Washington. "I also see a nutritionist and I meditate. Learning how to love myself and my body is a lifelong process. But I definitely don't struggle the way I used to. Therapy helped me realize that maybe it's okay for me to communicate my feelings. Instead of literally stuffing them down with food, maybe it's okay for me to express myself."

Jennifer Lawrence

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Actress Jennifer Lawrence is known for speaking out against unhealthy eating restrictions. She discusses the world of celebrities with Elle saying candidly, "In Hollywood, I'm obese. I'm considered a fat actress.” She furthered this saying “I’m never going to starve myself for a part… I don’t want little girls to be like, ‘Oh, I want to look like Katniss, so I’m going to skip dinner," she explained to the magazine. "That’s something I was really conscious of during training, when you’re trying to get your body to look exactly right. I was trying to get my body to look fit and strong- not thin and underfed.”

Demi Lovato

Singer and actress Demi Lovato has been one of the biggest celebrity advocates for healthy body image.  After struggling with an eating disorder for years, Lovato sought treatment in 2010.  She is very open with her struggle with body image and recently posted on Instagram:

“It makes me sad because I wasted so many years ashamed of my body when I could've been living the happy and healthy life I live today. It TRULY just goes to show you that your perceptions can lie to you. OR they can make you learn to enjoy life… I not only feel so grateful for the love and support I've had from fans, friends and family, but... I also feel.. beautiful. I'm so excited to live my life the way I deserve to and to the complete fullest.”

Mindy Kaling

Producer and actress of the Mindy Project honestly contributed her thoughts on body image to Vogue. She explains: “There’s a whole list of things I would probably change about myself. For example, I’m always trying to lose fifteen pounds. But I never need to be skinny. I don’t want to be skinny. I’m constantly in a state of self-improvement…but I don’t beat myself up over it.” 

Drew Barrymore

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The actress is thankful for her body, reminding us to love our body saying, “God made a very obvious choice when he made me voluptuous; why would I go against what he decided for me? My limbs work, so I'm not going to complain about the way my body is shaped.”  

Taylor Swift

“I definitely have body issues, but everybody does,” singer Swift relates to MSN. “When you come to the realization that everybody does that — even the people that I consider flawless — then you can start to live with the way you are. I’ve read interviews with some of the most beautiful women who have insecurities. And you look at them and you’re like, ‘How do you have? Name one thing wrong with yourself,’ and they could name a handful.”

These women remind us that it is ok to struggle and have insecurities: most women do.  Even though there is pressure, even though women struggle, it is important to remember that this pressure transcends age and circumstances.  We are never alone.

Reach Staff Reporter Mary Katherine Bailey here