Influencer Olivia Ponton opened up about her experience with an eating disorder and challenged common misconceptions surrounding anorexia.
“Being anorexic nine times out of 10 is not going to give you the body you are craving nor desiring,” the 24-year-old model said in a TikTok posted Saturday, October 10. “As someone who has struggled with many, many forms of eating disorders, specifically anorexia, I wanna talk about this.”
Ponton also pushed back on the belief that models or others whose careers depend on their appearance simply do not eat. “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” she said. She explained that she now focuses on getting enough sleep, eating, exercising and avoiding “sugary drinks,” a category she said includes alcohol.
She addressed another harmful misconception: the idea that someone will “look the best” while secretly dealing with an eating disorder.
@iamoliviaponton “I hope this helps,” Ponton wrote.
♬ original sound – olivia ponton
“When I was going through the height of my eating disorders, I have never looked worse,” she recalled. “I looked dull; my body was not going the way that I thought it was going to be.” By contrast, Ponton said she has never felt or looked better since prioritizing the healthy habits she described.
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Alix Earle has also spoken openly about a past eating disorder. During the Thursday, October 5, episode of her podcast, “Hot Mess with Alix Earle,” the 22-year-old TikTok star described the subject as deeply personal and said she had not previously discussed it online before issuing a trigger warning.
Ponton stressed that reaching that point took considerable time. “And trust me when I say that took many, many years,” she said. “Many years to get to.”
She said she chose to discuss eating disorders publicly in hopes of supporting people who may be struggling. “I hope this helps somebody,” Ponton said at the end of the video.
In the comments, Ponton clarified why she said “nine times out of 10,” writing that she did not want to make an assumption about “EVERY single person who has ever experienced an ED.” Followers praised her for speaking out, with comments including “99999/100000**,” which Ponton “liked,” and “PREACHHHHHH.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit the National Alliance for Eating Disorders website or call its hotline at (866) 662-1235. For free, 24/7 support, text “ALLIANCE” to 741741.