The actress opens up about fat-shaming trolls, finally embracing her curves, and finding love again
It was hard not to fall for with Emily Atack on last year’s I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!The bubbly actress won over the nation with her impeccable comic timing, impressive range of celebrity impressions – and she was even applauded for promoting a healthy body image.
But while she credits her life-changing stint in the jungle with learning to love herself, Emily admits she’s often subjected to derogatory comments over her appearance.
Speaking ahead of her new TV show, Adulting, which explores Emily’s thoughts on everything from fertility to marriage and body confidence, the 29-year-old star says, “I like to make out that I’m really happy and confident in myself now... but I’m only human. I get called fat online, I get called all sorts of names every now and then.”
And while the cruel jibes sting, Emily admits she won’t be giving up her beloved pizza any time soon. She says, “I’m lucky that I have a lovely fan base who are wonderful to me, but sometimes I do look at that one nasty comment and it does get to me. I tell myself, ‘Right, I’m not going to eat carbs for two weeks.’ It lasts for about an hour, though!”
Check out: the most incredible celebrity body transformations
CLOSER Celebrity weight transformations - slider and stacked
Jonathan Tapper, 2015
Gogglebox's Jonathan Tapper was previously 21st 3lbs, but he slimmed down to 18st 8lbs after being diagnosed with diabetes in 2015.
Jonathan Tapper, 2019
The Channel 4 star dropped 3 stone in 12 weeks and the North Londoner reckons he was consuming over 3,000 calories a day. He has now reduced his intake to 1,800 daily in order to keep the weight off, ensuring that he exercises too.
Susanna Reid, 2017
Susanna previously admitted on Good Morning Britain that she lost weight due to health issues. She explained: "It was a combination of factors, but a doctor said I was at the top end of my BMI."He said it might benefit me if I lost a little weight."
Susanna Reid, 2019
She pretty much looks the exact same but has confessed she's cut the booze and snacking. Piers Morgan has also said she's "never been happier".
Tommy Mallet, 2018
Tommy has long been our number one boy hun on TOWIE. He transformed himself from cuddly sweetheart...
Tommy Mallet, 2019
...to ripped DEMI GOD. Tommy credited his new physique to an intense daily exercise regime and healthy eating plan.
Jenna Jameson, 2015
American former adult film star Jenna Jameson stormed British TV screens on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.
Jenna Jameson, 2018
She put on some pounds following the birth of her children and astonished fans when she shared incredible before and after pictures, revealing she'd dropped 80lb.
Tyne Lexi, May 2018
Love Island 2017 cast mate Tyne put on two stone after appearing in the looking-for-love show. She still looked simply stunning, mind.
Tyne Lexi, July 2018
Tyne shed inches using a combination of Shake it Slim meal replacements and some pretty hardcore work out routines. Go, Lexi!
Gary Barlow, 1996
The Take That frontman shared this photo in February 2018 to remind himself how far he's come in his weight loss journey. Gary went up to around 16st after Take That split in 1996.
Gary Barlow, 2017
These days, Gary eats healthily and takes part in yoga every week. He now weighs less than 12st.
Josie Gibson, 2010
When Josie won Big Brother in 2010, she was a size 20 dress size and reportedly weighed 16st 17lb.
Josie Gibson, 2012
Josie famously went through a huge weight loss transformation in 2012, dropping to a size 8 and reportedly weighing 10st 2lb.
Mariah Carey, 2017
Mariah Carey stepped out in August 2017 with her boyfriend Brian Tanaka in New York.
Mariah Carey, 2017
Just three months later in October, she looked dramatically different - and was reported to have undergone liposuction.
Lisa Riley, 2012
Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley was known for her size 28 frame, but fans were pleasantly surprised by her sprightliness while on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012.
Lisa Riley, 2018
Lisa went under a huge lifestyle overhaul, losing a whopping 12 stone and dropping from a size 28 to a 12 before having her excess skin removed in 2017.
Dawn French, 2005
Everyone's favourite comedienne Dawn French previously weighed around 19st.
Dawn French, 2018
But in 2016, Dawn lost an incredible seven and a half stone - here's how she did it.
Scarlett Moffatt, 2015
Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt was well-loved for her bubbly personality, but had issues with her weight.
Scarlett Moffatt, 2016
A year later, Scarlett underwent a huge weight loss - dropping from a size 18 to an 8. Read all about it here.
Kelly Brook, 2010
Model and presenter Kelly Brook has always had perfect hour glass curves, but she shrunk to a size 8 in 2010 when she became the face of Ultimo and appeared in American Playboy magazine.
Kelly Brook, 2018
Approaching her 40s as a happy and healthy size 12, Kelly has spoken about how she's just not bothered about staying a size 8 anymore. But she recently shared how putting weight on her famous big boobs might be causing a bit of a health issue.
Katie Hopkins, 2014
Controversial Katie Hopkins was a regular runner who gained a whopping 3st 5lb in just three months and weighed 12st. But Katie has always said there are 'no excuses' for people being overweight - so what happened?!
Katie Hopkins, 2015
It turned out Katie's rapid weight gain was for a documentary to prove how easy it is for her to lose weight - which she did in just a few months. But we can't help but think it was all a bit of a, errr, pointless exercise?
Tom Kerridge, 2013
TV chef Tom Kerridge weighed a dangerous 30st which he says was due to a lifestyle of late night drinking and overeating.
Tom Kerridge, 2016
After a complete lifestyle overhaul, Tom shredded a staggering 12st - which is basically the same weight as another grown adult. Impressive work, Tom!
Brooke Vincent, 2017
Corrie actress Brooke Vincent was already a petite size 10 but she wanted to give up smoking and get fit for Dancing on Ice.
Brooke Vincent, 2017
And she did it! Brooke lost a dress size and showed off her seriously toned tum on Instagram. She also managed to kick her smoking habit. Yay!
Holly Willoughby, 2015
Morning TV star Holly Willoughby has always had enviable curves and was a size 12 up until fairly recently.
Holly Willoughby, 2017
She looked noticeably slimmer in 2017 when Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha commented on it accidentally on live TV. Holly's secret to staying in shape is said to be a healthy lifestyle of pilates, kickboxing and a high vegetable diet.
Lauren Goodger, 2017
Former TOWIE star Lauren Goodger has always battled with her yo-yo weight.
Lauren Goodger, 2018
Following a tough 21 day juice cleanse at a retreat earlier this year, Lauren lost 1.4st.
Khloe Kardashian, 2012
Khloe owns the kind of curves that can only belong to a Kardashian! She is the tallest sister in the fam at 5ft 9in and she reportedly weighed just over 11st in 2012.
Khloe Kardashian, 2017
Fast forward five years and Khloe shredded 30 pounds through a strict exercise regime and diet. She has spoken about how her split from Lamar Odom triggered her decision to hit the gym.
Jennifer Hudson, 2007
Singing sensation and The Voice judge Jennifer Hudson was a size 16 when she first came to our attention as the American Idol winner in 2007.
Jennifer Hudson, 2018
As her career grew her body shrunk after joining Weight Watchers and taking control of her diet. Jennifer dropped five dress sizes and today is a size 6.
Johnny Vegas, February 2017
Johnny Vegas was long known for his fuller figure as well as his funny way with words, and that relationship with a tea loving monkey.
Johnny Vegas, July 2018
Johnny unveiled his trim new look on Instagram after dropping a whopping three stone through following a healthy eating and fitness plan.
Christina Aguilera, 2012
In 2012 Xtina's womanly curves weighed 10 stone 7lb on her 5ft 1 frame and she wore a size 16.
Christina Aguilera, 2016
The pop megastar dropped two stones by 2016 thanks to cutting out bad foods and being very strict with booze. But we're glad to see she's still rocking those curves!
Cheryl, 2015
Nation's sweetheart Cheryl Tweedy has always been super slim but she sparked concerns with her fragile frame during X Factor filming in 2015.
Cheryl, 2018
Cheryl quickly lost the pregnancy weight after giving birth to baby Bear in 2017. She was looking slim but strong at the Brit Awards 2018.
Melissa McCarthy, 2014
The hilarious Melissa McCarthy weighed just under 19st in 2014 after her brilliant performance in Bridesmaids.
Melissa McCarthy, 2017
5ft 2 Melissa lost an amazing 75 pounds through a very strict diet and exercise regime. She looks happier (and even more amazing!) than ever.
Rebel Wilson, 2010
Actress Rebel Wilson defied the typical Hollywood body when she starred in Bridesmaids with fellow actress Melinda McCarthey.
Rebel Wilson, 2017
In 2016 Rebel looked great after losing eight pounds at a fitness retreat in Malibu. By 2017 she'd lost an incredible 33 pounds.
Jonah Hill, 2007
Jonah Hill has always been the 'cuddly' character in films like Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and 21 Jump Street.
Jonah Hill, 2018
What a difference a year makes. He said he lost the weight and toned up by cutting out beer, seeking a nutritionist and getting tips from 21 Jump Street co-star Channing Tatum.
Chris Pratt, 2010
Chris Pratt has always been a total cutie...
Chris Pratt, 2018
But he transformed into an absolute hunk after losing 60 pounds and training for Guardians of the Galaxy.
Chanelle Hayes, April 2018
Big Brother star Chanelle Hayes is infamous for her changing frame. In 2018 she documented her weight loss following the birth of her second son Frankie.
Chanelle Hayes, July 2018
Chanelle told her followers: "I am absolutely BUZZING at my progress so far. Slow and steady is definitely winning the race..."
Alan Halsall, circa July 2017
Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street, has always had fans but he upped his game from cute and cuddly to all out FITLORD in 2018.
Alan Halsall, July 2018
The charming actor posted a svelte looking snap to his Instagram account and fans went wild for his new look.
Scott Maslen
Jack Branning actor Scott Maslen has always been a bit of a heartthrob on the Square.
Scott Maslen
But we never knew THIS was hiding under those suits. The star admitted to being addicted to working out recently on his Instagram.
Courtney Green
TOWIE star Courtney Green has always looked fab and we first saw her on our TV screen back in 2016.
Courtney Green
Following her split with Myles Barnett she showed him and her thousands of Instagram followers what he's missing. Go girl!
Catherine Tyldesley
Corrie's Catherine Tyldesley has been very open about her weight loss transformation and regularly documents her workouts at the gym on Instagram.
Catherine Tyldesley
After leaving Coronation Street, the actress decided to take a 12 week transformation challenge and she looks amazing!
James Hooton
He's played innocent and lovely Sam Dingle since 1995 but fans couldn't believe it when he shared a topless photo in 2018...
James Hooton
So that's what Sam Dingle looks like underneath that infamous green jacket. The Emmerdale actor looks AMAZING.
Paddy McGuinness
At 6 ft 1, Paddy McGuinness has always been the kinda guy you just want a big old bear hug from!
Paddy McGuinness
Over recent years, the Take Me Out presenter has been influenced by his fitness fanatic wife Christine to hit the gym in their Cheshire home. He dropped from 14 stn to 13 stn 9 lb in 2018, saying he's happy with his size.
Gemma Collins
Gemma has always been mega-glam, but her weight has fluctuated over the years and she'd admitted that she often feels self conscious around her ultra slim TOWIE co stars.
Gemma Collins
After a vigorous few months training for Dancing on Ice, the GC earned a legion of new fans, but lost a whopping two stone!
Emma Chawner, 2007
During Emma's first audition she told the judges she "couldn't do anymore" singing and after they told her she couldn't sing, her parents went on to confront them all. The dramz.
Emma Chawner, 2019
Fast forward 12 years since her first audition and Emma revealed after swapping junk food for a healthy lifestyle she dropped 12 stone in just two years.
However, the actress reveals that she does feel under pressure from time to time to look good. “If I’m losing weight, it’s usually for work,” she says. “I know for a fact that, if I wasn’t in the industry I’m in, I’d be about two stone heavier.
“If you’re on the telly, you do feel this pressure to look a certain way. Also, you want to look healthy because there are a lot of people looking up to you."
Emily has been refreshingly honest about her body-confidence issuesin the past, revealing she has suffered from depression, and was even asked by Hollywood producers to lose weight in order to win acting roles.
Despite her bubbly persona, the star was, in her own words, a “hot mess” before she joined I’m A Celeb! last year. She was struggling to land work after her success in The Inbetweeners, battling with her insecurities and reeling from the break-up of a five-year relationship with actor Jack Vacher.
But three weeks running wild and make-up free in the jungle paid off. Finishing runner up to Harry Redknapp, Emily found herself inundated with TV offers and, more importantly, embracing a new attitude towards her curves.
“I’m way more accepting of my body now,” the 5ft 6 star admits. “I’m learning you can feel beautiful in so many different ways other than what you weigh. When you think of body positivity, the first thing you think about is size but, actually, it’s got nothing to do with that. I think it’s to do with how you feel inside.
“I’ve also realised that I’m probably the biggest I’ve ever been. I weigh 11st – I’ve never weighed 11st, but I’m doing everything I’ve always wanted to do. My life is the best it’s ever been, and I get more compliments now than I ever have before. I look back at photographs of when I was slimmer, looking a bit gaunt, and I was definitely unhappier.”
This inspiring self-acceptance is a world away from the insecure actress who admitted to using slimming apps on her bikini pictures in the past.
“It’s so unhealthy,” says Emily, who has vowed never to hide behind a filter again. “You can Photoshop your own photo to within an inch of its life and you look like a different person. But it’s a fantasy.
“I might see a picture that I think is not the best angle, but I just get over it. I used to really hate that and beat myself up and go to my friends, ‘Please take that down,’ but now I think it’s important to capture a moment.”
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Emily maintains her healthy size 10-12 physique by working out with a personal trainer two to three times a week, revealing in the past that exercise has been great for her mental health. And while she tries to stick to a balanced diet, she refuses to deprive herself of the things she loves.
“I’ve got a really healthy relationship with food,” she says. “I think it’s such a shame that, if you’re dieting, food gets put into this category of being a treat. There are times when I think I have to maybe rein it in on the pizza takeaways at weekends, and the wine, but I’m never going to give up those things. They make me happy.”
Something else putting a smile on Emily’s face is her blossoming four-month relationship with film producer Rob Jowers. The actress, who has previously been linked to singers Harry Styles and Dougie Poynter, has previously revealed that “it’s love” with Rob.
With romance and career on a high, Emily says that finding her inner peace has been the key to success. She adds, “I think if you find a little bit of self-confidence and self-belief, you radiate a completely different kind of beauty.”
Read even more celeb news in this week's Closer magazine - out now.
Emily Atack: Adulting airs Wednesdays at 10pm on W.