Avika Gor to Arti Singh: Celebs who have come out stronger than ever fighting weight issues, depression and more

Skin tone, weight issues, depression and anxiety… TV celebrities go through a lot mentally. Like normal people, they also have a personal and regular life which is not known to many. But they set an example to others by sharing their inspiring stories of fighting such battles and coming out strong. Their personal battle have provided many the strength to accept who they really are and embrace self-love. A look at such celebrities, who’s coming out stronger stories have been an inspiring one.

Child actor Avika Gor, who became a household name with her show Balika Vadhu, recently opened up about her weight issues. In a heart-felt note she penned, detailing her journey to getting back in control of her health and finding it in her to love herself again. Avika wrote, “I still remember one night last year, when I looked at myself in the mirror & I broke down. I didn't like what I saw. Big arms, legs, a well earned belly. I had let go too much. If it were due to an illness (Thyroid,PCOD, etc), it would be okay because that would be out of my control. But, it happened because I ate anything & everything, and I didn't workout at all.” She also took a break from TV. Meanwhile, Avika has lost 13 kilos in the last few months.

Titled the ‘Most desirable woman’ and ‘Sexiest Asian Woman’, Nia Sharma often faces flak for her skin colour, figure to her choice of clothes. However, the actress takes it in her stride and doesn’t pay heed to any of the negative comments. She said that when someone calls her "ugly or overrated", she accepts it.

Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke actress Roopal Tyagi opened up in a candid conversation with ETimes TV and spoke about taking two year break from TV and also dealing with depression. She said, “Most of the time clinical depression has no particular reason. It could be genetic, poor lifestyle. I am assuming in my case it was poor lifestyle. I was hardly sleeping, I was shooting continuously, I was partying, smoking. I was on sugar, caffeine, nicotine and we don't know how much this substance can ruin us. It was a biggest eye opener. I would like to blame my lifestyle. For a long time I wasn't even aware that there was something wrong. I just did not feel like doing anything. Even in the Bigg Boss house I did not want to do anything. I just wanted to go out of the house. That was happening for a while and I was losing interest in being alive. I would in fact tell this to people that if you notice that one of your loved one is battling depression just silently be there instead of telling what to do or what not to.” The actress is now in a happy space.

Arti Singh is another personality, who has embraced all negativity and come out as a positive and strong woman. During her stint in Bigg Boss 13, Arti had revealed that she was suffering from depression. She narrated that despite doing several TV shows she did not earn fame in the Hindi television industry. She says that she was appreciated for her role in Waaris. But after the show, she did not get work for 2 years. A marriage proposal also got rejected after the guy’s parents learnt about her depression. Arti has braved all of it and emerged as a strong woman.

The actress, who has been a part of dating reality show, one of highest TRP raking show Kumkum Bhagya and now Bigg Boss 14, was once asked to eat a tubelight? Yes, the actress, during a live chat with ETimes TV had revealed that a producer from the South film industry had asked her to eat a tubelight to lighten her skin colour. She didn’t pay heed to such comments, though it broke her heart. She had come out stronger and didn’t let those mean comments affect her.

Rashami Desai, who was seen in Bigg Boss 13, has seen many ups and downs in life. Her path wasn’t a bed of roses either. The actress has fought with weight issues and her style is admired by many. Rashami had once shared, “I have a habit of fluctuating when it comes to weight. Sometimes I gain or lose weight, so they have a problem with that too. There are times when they don't like my clothes or dance, so people comment on that too. It is my body, my choice I will do what I feel is right. I have earned it.”

Bigg Boss 13 fame Himanshi Khurana had too faced body shaming. The actress had PCOS (a condition in which hormonal level in a female body fluctuates causing facial hair, weight gain, modulated voice, mood swings and infertility) and the weight gain would affect her mentally and physically. Due to blood pressure issues, her health fluctuates a lot and she shared her team would take care of her and she doesn’t pay heed to what’s written about her or spoken about her.

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani fame Vahbiz shared that she lost out on many projects due to health reasons. She had initially thought that she was gaining weight because she wasn’t working out. Later she realised that she had hyperthyroidism. In an interaction she had revealed, “The last one year has been very unlucky. I was perpetually falling ill and had become weak. It was a terrible experience. I was out of action, which isn’t a very good thing for a TV actor. But I concentrated on regaining my health. I am a born fighter and am always positive.” The actress now spreads messages on body positivity.

Choti Sardarni’s Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia aka Meher in an exclusive live chat with ETimes TV had opened up about being fat-shamed and bullied in her college days. The actress also revealed some harsh truth about how she was called out in her family for her dusky complexion.