Kat Dennings Opens Up About Facing Body Shaming in the '90s, Praises Industry's Positive Shift

Kat Dennings, best known for her role in 2 Broke Girls, recently reflected on the harsh realities she faced as a young actor in the '90s, highlighting the stark contrast between the past and the present in the entertainment industry. In an interview with People, the 38-year-old actress revealed her experiences with body shaming at the tender age of 12.

“The time that I was auditioning and starting to act, it was a very different environment than it is now,” Dennings shared. “There was not a lot of inclusivity at all. It was very harsh. There was a lot of extremely negative feedback and people would not hold back,” she added.

Dennings, who began her Hollywood journey at just nine years old, recounted the cruel comments she received from casting directors. “It was pretty crazy thinking about it. I’m like, ‘How can anyone say that about a little kid? This is insane,’” the Shifting Gears star said, reflecting on the harsh criticism.

Recalling a particularly painful memory, Dennings stated, “For example, I was 12. I’d go into an audition and I’d do it, and my manager would call me and I’d be like, ‘How’d it go?’ And they’d be like, ‘Well, they thought you weren’t pretty enough and you’re fat.’” Despite the negativity, Dennings maintained her resilience, thanks to her strong mindset.

“That was my attitude. For some reason, it didn't break my spirit. I was like, 'I'll show them,'” she revealed. Crediting her parents for their unwavering support, she added, “I guess props to my parents, because they were like, 'They're idiots. Don't listen to them.' And I was like, 'They're idiots, I'm not.'”

Reflecting on the current state of the industry, Dennings noted the significant improvements. “The industry's current environment is much softer, kinder,” she said. “There's body positivity, there's inclusivity, there's representation, and there was none of that before. It was really gross.”

Dennings' candid revelations shed light on the evolving nature of Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of continued progress in promoting inclusivity and positivity.