Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten says her eating disorder ‘stemmed from bullying’ as she speaks out after Victoria Beckham’s shock revelation in new Netflix documentary

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Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten has revealed she struggled with an eating disorder, sharing that her reasons were similar to those of Victoria Beckham.

The actress, age 41, is known for her role as Rachel Breckle on the show, which she played from 2011 to 2015. She struggled with anorexia for 13 years and previously shared that she was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit at the young age of 11.

Gemma has responded to Victoria Beckham’s recent openness about her past struggles with eating disorders, which she discussed in her new documentary.

In her Netflix documentary, Victoria Beckham shared that bullying and negative comments about her appearance led to her developing an eating disorder.

Gemma recently told The Mirror that bullying contributed to her developing anorexia, leading to 21 hospitalizations during her teenage years.

Honestly, hearing Gemma talk about it just broke my heart. She said it all started with the bullying, and it made so much sense. She felt helpless against all the awful things people were saying, but then she realized she *could* control what she ate, and somehow, that felt like taking back some power. It’s just…tragic, really. It explains so much.

As a longtime fan, it really hits me hard to learn about the struggles some of the Spice Girls went through. They were such strong, ambitious women – role models for me and so many other girls around the world. It’s incredibly sad to realize that even while projecting that image of power, people like Mel C, Geri, and now Victoria Beckham were privately battling things like eating disorders. It just makes you realize no one is immune to these challenges, even those we admire most.

Victoria recently shared in her documentary that she struggled with an eating disorder, which began during her teenage years at theatre school. She kept this hidden, even from her parents, Tony and Jackie.

Victoria shared that filming the series made her question who she was and struggle with self-doubt. It affected her so deeply that she didn’t recognize herself when she looked in the mirror.

I was so focused on my weight, I lost touch with what was real. I was incredibly self-critical and unhappy with my appearance. I’ve gone through phases of being both heavier and very thin, and dealing with those constant changes was difficult.

I felt powerless over the stories and photos circulating about me, and I think I wanted to regain some control. I tried to do that through how I dressed and by managing my weight, but my attempts to control my weight became extremely unhealthy.

People with eating disorders often become skilled at keeping secrets. I definitely hid mine from my parents and wasn’t truthful with them about what was going on.

I’ve never really talked about this before, but it truly gets to you. Hearing over and over that you just don’t measure up… it’s something I’ve carried with me forever, honestly. It’s always been there, a shadow over everything.

Victoria Beckham, who became famous in the mid-1990s as a member of the Spice Girls, remembers a time when she was weighed on live television by Chris Evans. This happened on his Channel 4 show, TFI Friday, just months after she gave birth to her first child, Brooklyn, in 1999, to see if she’d lost the weight gained during pregnancy.

Looking back at old photos, she always seemed so happy, but now she’s finally talking about how incredibly hard those early days were. She was just 25 and a brand new mom, and honestly, it really took a toll on her. It’s heartbreaking to hear, but so brave of her to share!

Victoria recalls being publicly weighed on television as a child. While people joked about her weight at the time, she says the experience was actually very hurtful because she was so young.

Victoria’s struggles with body confidence started when she was a teenager and accepted into the Laine Theatre school in Epsom, Surrey. She shares that her parents supported her dream by remortgaging their home in Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire, to cover the costs.

She explained that even though she worked very hard, she wasn’t a particularly strong dancer or singer. She also mentioned that she didn’t look like the other kids in her class.

She explains that she didn’t fit the typical mold of other girls, and that’s when people began to criticize her looks and weight.

I recall a teacher at my theatre school telling me that, if we didn’t look as good as the other performers at the end of the show, they would simply move us to the back of the stage during the final scene.

Victoria’s mother, Jackie, also shared that her daughter was told she was overweight and would be placed at the back of the line.

She added: ‘It must have affected her, it’s a very silly thing to say to someone, “You’re fat”.’

I was completely captivated by this documentary! It really takes you behind the scenes with Victoria as she prepares for her Paris Fashion Week show in September 2024. It wasn’t just *a* show, though – it was the biggest, most ambitious catwalk event she’d ever put on, and you can feel the pressure building as she works towards it.

Let me tell you, we were all incredibly stressed about the weather! My team and I at the label were on pins and needles, honestly worried we’d have to reschedule everything. It was a really tense time, waiting to see what would happen.

The show follows the former singer’s life, starting with her time in the Spice Girls, then as a wife and partner of a famous athlete, and finally to her current career as a fashion designer.

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2025-10-09 22:19