Gina Rodriguez has spoken candidly about her battle with a thyroid disorder. The Jane the Virgin star admitted that she found it particularly difficult to cope with the side effects, which includes weight gain, as she worked hard to make it as an actress in Hollywood.
© Photo: Getty ImagesGina Rodriguez has opened up about her thyroid disorder
"It began when I was 19-years-old and I got fired, and I realised keeping my weight down was going to be much more difficult," the 31-year-old told PeopleStyle exclusively. "It was difficult for me to stay in the comfortable zone of my weight. I was very tired. My fatigue was through the roof. When everyone else was cold, I was sweating bullets."
Gina explained that her confidence was particularly challenged when she decided to pursue a career in acting, but regularly faced critics who told her that her fluctuating weight could hinder her success.
© Photo: Getty ImagesGina is best known for her role in Jane the Virgin
"I was like, 'Okay I want to be an actor. I want to be a leading lady.'," she said. "But now I am being told there is no way I can because they are way skinnier, which was very destructive to me because I felt like I was getting curvy."
However, the Our Family Wedding actress was determined to make it in Hollywood, and decided to work hard to change attitudes in the industry.
"For many years I had a daily conversation with myself about how I was going to help make that change," she said. "Because there is no way in this world things are only allotted to certain people because of their figure. There is no way that should be possible. There is no way that’s fair. There is no way that kind of limitation is going to help those that don’t fit into that box."
© Photo: InstagramGina opted for a dramatic makeover for an upcoming film role
There's no doubt that Gina has achieved her goals. Not only does she star in hit TV show Jane the Virgin, but the American beauty also boasts over one million followers on social media, with her legions of fans regularly praising her for her enviable figure and striking beauty looks.
Gina is also set to star alongside Natalie Portman in upcoming sci-fi thriller Annihilation – and underwent a dramatic, edgy makeover for the role when she shaved her long tresses into a bold undercut hairstyle.
Debuting the new look on Instagram, the star immediately began receiving compliments from her fans, and took the time to reply to some of their messages. When one fan asked why she chose to go for such an eye-catching hairstyle she explained, "It's for a film role. And I love it."
