Sadie Robertson, widely recognized from “Duck Dynasty,” experienced a significant shift in public perception when she competed on “Dancing With the Stars” in 2014. She dedicated herself intensely to workouts and dance routines, leading to a physique she described as her fittest. However, the conclusion of the show marked the beginning of a challenging period as her body naturally changed, drawing unsolicited commentary and impacting her self-image.
The then 23-year-old reality star and influencer recently shared insights into this sensitive time in her life during an interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” revealing the pressures and insecurities that arose from public and personal scrutiny of her body after her stint on “Dancing With The Stars”.
Robertson recounted the physical peak she achieved during the dance competition, stating, “During ‘Dancing With the Stars’… I had this body that I never thought I’d have. I had a six-pack for two weeks.” She humorously mentioned the fleeting nature of her abs, disappearing after Thanksgiving. However, the ensuing comments on her body, from various sources including family, friends, and social media followers, were far from lighthearted.
Sadie Robertson
Actress Sadie Robertson at Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” show in 2020, reflecting on body image pressures after “Dancing With the Stars”.
She described the initial feedback as seemingly positive, yet subtly setting a dangerous precedent. “They were such innocent comments at first, like, everything was great,” she explained. “But whenever my body started looking a little different, that’s when the struggle came in.” The shift in tone was stark, with some individuals in her life becoming “really negative influences,” suggesting she needed to maintain her “Dancing With the Stars” body. This external pressure exacerbated her existing insecurities, leading her to believe these harmful opinions.
Adding to the pressure, Robertson’s appearance on the popular dance show coincided with her pursuing a modeling career at the young age of 17. This intersection of reality TV fame and the modeling industry amplified the body scrutiny. She recalled being told she needed to lose weight to be considered a “real model,” with suggestions of dropping ten more pounds despite already being at an unhealthy weight of 115 pounds. These remarks had a damaging effect on her self-perception.
This period marked the beginning of what Robertson described as “a really unhealthy view” of her body. The constant focus on her physical appearance became consuming, impacting her mental and emotional well-being.
In her interview with ET, Sadie Robertson detailed the all-encompassing nature of body image struggles. “You can’t stop thinking about your body, how you look, how you should eat,” she confessed. “You’re counting the calories, you’re sizing up your legs and all those different things. You’re just kind of completely gripped by it, and that’s kind of where I was.” She poignantly described looking in the mirror and perceiving herself as “fat,” despite being far from it, highlighting the distorted self-image that can develop under such pressure.
Robertson emphasized the broader impact of these personal struggles, noting, “You don’t realize (at the time) that the things you’re struggling with, you think it’s just about you, but actually it affects a lot of other people around you.”
Publicly, Robertson first addressed her past struggles with an eating disorder in a candid blog post in 2017. In her conversation with “Entertainment Tonight”, she further elaborated on how her faith played a crucial role in her recovery and reshaping her body image.
She shared how her religious beliefs offered a path to healing. “I pretty much just took the word as it was from the Bible. It talks about how you’re beautifully and wonderfully created,” Robertson recalled. This scripture became a foundation for transforming her self-perception. Instead of self-criticism, she adopted an attitude of gratitude. “I started praising God and thanking him for the way that I looked, instead of looking in the mirror and saying, ‘Ugh, I wish my arms were thinner, I wish my legs were more toned, I wish I had her eyebrows.’ … whatever it was that I would tell myself.”
This shift in perspective involved appreciating her body for its capabilities rather than its appearance. “Instead I would tell myself, ‘I am so thankful that I have this. I’m so thankful that my legs actually serve the purpose that they should and that they’re able to run, that my arms are able to carry things. That my stomach one day, hopefully, will be able to carry a baby.’ Just what we’re actually designed and created for.”
This faith-based approach helped her redirect her focus outwards. “It definitely made me stop thinking about myself as much,” she explained. “It allowed me to be able to think of others, and how I can serve them with the body I’ve been given.”
Robertson also credited her faith for navigating the dramatic life changes brought about by “Dancing With the Stars,” which catapulted her into the spotlight with 20 million viewers watching her weekly.
The intense fame led to new insecurities. “I started struggling with a lot of insecurity of who I was because of a lot of people telling me who I am and not really feeling like that was me,” she admitted. She wrestled with the pressure of living up to a public image, confessing, “I remember thinking these thoughts, like, ‘I don’t know how to be that famous girl that everybody loves and follows on Instagram.'” In moments of doubt, she turned to prayer, saying, “‘God, I think you chose the wrong person. This makes me nervous. This makes me insecure. This is not something I’m thriving in.'”
However, she found solace and direction in her faith. “I just felt like God was saying, ‘I’m not calling you to be this perfect person. I’m actually just calling you to be a sister and a friend to those who don’t have a sister and a friend,'” she shared. This realization instilled a sense of purpose and confidence. “I can be confident because I was created on purpose for a purpose.”
This newfound understanding empowered her. “All of a sudden I was so empowered to do everything that I’m doing now,” she concluded. “That’s just my story, but man, that’s why my faith is so important to me.” Sadie Robertson’s journey reflects a powerful message of self-acceptance, resilience, and the importance of faith in navigating body image pressures and the challenges of fame after experiences like “Dancing With The Stars”.
