Florence Pugh opens up about "painful" online comments on her body, calls the internet a "mean place"

Florence Pugh, the star of We Live in Time, recently expressed her struggles with the harsh criticisms she faces online, particularly about her body. In a candid interview with British Vogue for their October issue, the 28-year-old actress called the internet "a very mean place" and said that reading negative comments is "really painful."

Pugh has long been outspoken about embracing her natural body and refusing to hide aspects of herself, but the barrage of online abuse does take a toll on her mental well-being. In the interview, Pugh went on to explain how such negativity impacts her and her relations at the workplace and home.

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Florence Pugh reflects on online abuse

The Little Women star opened up about the impact of hurtful online comments on her self-esteem and said:

"It's really painful to read people being nasty about my confidence or nasty about my weight. It never feels good."

Despite her public stance on body positivity, the relentless scrutiny often leaves her feeling vulnerable. Her blunt approach to the subject has been a key part of her persona. She told Elle UK last year:

"I speak the way I do about my body because I'm not trying to hide the cellulite on my thigh or the squidge in between my arm and my boob."

Florence Pugh also discussed how being in the public eye has added stress to her personal life. The actress addressed the online abuse she and her former partner, Zach Braff, experienced. Their relationship, which was initially private, eventually became a public talking point due to the constant online negativity.

"I had to be public with my relationship in the past because people were bullying me and bullying my partner," Florence Pugh revealed.

When it comes to her career, Pugh has learned to navigate the pressure that comes with the spotlight, including the demands of magazine cover shoots. Speaking about her experience of shooting for fashion magazines, Pugh said it felt unnatural at first.

"I'm not a model. It's portraying a completely different version of myself that I don't necessarily believe in," she explained.

However, she has since grown comfortable with how she presents herself in public, noting that she now knows "who I want to show" and is less insecure about her appearance.

Florence Pugh also discussed her bold decision to shave her head for her role in We Live in Time. For the English actress, shaving her head was an integral part of the character's portrayal. "It was just always a no-brainer," she said, adding that the act symbolized total commitment to the role.

The actress expressed that undergoing such a dramatic physical transformation was not only important for the character but also an empowering experience for herself.

Florence Pugh is currently promoting her upcoming film We Live in Time, set to release on October 11. In the romantic comedy film, Pugh plays the role of Almut, a cancer patient. Last year, she gained much praise for her performance in Oppenheimer.