Interview, Fireside Chat
Lucy Hale Opens Up For The First Time About Eating Disorders, Relationships & Addiction | E224
- Lucy Hale publicly revealed she has been sober since January 2, 2022, after struggling with alcoholism since age 14; she describes her reaction to alcohol as an "allergy" where she cannot moderate, often resulting in blackouts.
- Hale identified that alcohol was not the root problem but a coping mechanism for unaddressed emotional pain and a feeling of unworthiness that she believed "real Lucy" only revealed when drinking.
- She admitted that prior to this interview, she had never had a "real deep conversation" about her internal struggles, having let her identity become solely defined by her career and external success.
- Hale disclosed a long-term struggle with an eating disorder (anorexia) beginning around ages 13–14, characterized by obsessive calorie counting, excessive exercise logging, and self-harm to her body due to low self-worth.
- Her eating disorder intensified during her time on Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017), where the pressure of being on a "hit show" for 170+ episodes led to a feeling of her life being under a "magnifying glass."
- Hale stated that the success of Pretty Little Liars did not fix her internal issues; instead, it accelerated her body dysmorphia and feelings of being a "fraud" who did not deserve her success or career.
- She revealed that her self-worth issues manifested as people-pleasing, which led to bottled-up rage and self-sabotaging behavior, noting that she "hated herself so much" she could not even give her body basic needs like food.
- Hale credited her 19-year manager and the loss of her best friend/business partner to alcoholism as key catalysts for finally seeking sobriety, noting that trying to change for boyfriends or career vanity never worked.
- She reflected on the impact of her parents' divorce at a young age (ages 4 and 6), viewing it as a positive lesson that taught her to never "settle" in relationships and to prioritize her own emotional well-being.
- Hale's grandmother, Karen Lucille Hale, was a significant influence who died of emphysema in her mid-60s while still smoking; Hale never became a smoker due to her grandmother's illness and carries her middle name in tribute.
- Her mother, a travel nurse, cashed in her retirement to fund the family's move to Los Angeles when Hale was 15; Hale acknowledges this as a massive risk that she was "lucky" to succeed with, as she did not graduate high school.
- Hale described moving to LA at 15 as a "way out" from feeling like a "black sheep" in Tennessee, using acting and imagination as a primary coping mechanism to escape feelings of not belonging.
- She disclosed that her romantic history was plagued by "failed relationships" and "love avoidant" behaviors, often attracting partners with similar issues or sabotaging relationships to avoid being truly seen.
- Hale revealed she is currently single and prioritizes sobriety and self-healing, seeking a future partner who is "whole" and does not need her for their identity.
- Regarding her future, Hale is manifesting a family, expressing a specific desire to own a farm with goats, chickens, and many dogs, while maintaining an active but less fame-centric acting career.
- She admitted that her resilience and ability to survive "dozens" of emotional rock bottoms were the result of her drive to be creative, though she once considered quitting acting in her 20s because she didn't know her worth outside of her job.
- Hale noted that the industry is changing for the better regarding body acceptance but acknowledged that during her youth, the pressure to look "pretty and little" contributed significantly to her disorders.
- She emphasized that true joy is sustainable and internal, distinct from the fleeting "happiness" she often felt during her early career success, which was largely external and performative.
- Hale practices self-compassion exercises, writing letters to her younger self to offer the understanding she lacked at the time, acknowledging she did the best she could with the tools she had.
- She stated that she no longer feels the pressure to be constantly available on social media, having implemented a "digital detox" routine where she avoids checking her phone immediately upon waking.
- Hale expressed pride in her ability to lead with her heart, showing vulnerability and authenticity in her current role, contrasting with her past tendency to hide her "shadow self."
- She cited actress Joanna Garcia (from Privileged) as a major inspiration for kindness and humility, noting that she now asks herself, "What would Joanna do?" when navigating professional situations.
- Hale concluded that she would not change her "darkest days" because the perspective and empathy gained from those experiences are essential to who she is today and allow her to connect with others.
- The interviewer noted a "full circle" moment where Hale returned to Vancouver to film a new project in the same building where she lived as a 16-year-old actor.