Brandon Sklenar has opened up about his long-standing struggles with body image and how they affected his experience filming his latest movie. The actor revealed that shooting a particularly revealing scene brought some of his insecurities to the surface. He also discussed the importance of speaking more openly about body dysmorphia.
Brandon Sklenar opens up about body dysmorphia while filming Iron Jane
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sklenar discussed his experience with body dysmorphia. He recalled being a short, chubby child who was teased about his appearance. Those experiences led him to swim wearing a T-shirt. After a growth spurt, he became lanky and faced further criticism.
The actor eventually began working out obsessively to prove himself. However, that motivation developed into an unhealthy relationship with his appearance. He also explained how people with body dysmorphia can perceive their bodies differently from how others see them.
“It’s something I’ve had since I was a kid,” Sklenar admitted. He also discussed how therapy had helped him manage those feelings, although he acknowledged that the struggle remained ongoing.
“If you look at me now as a 36-year-old man, you’d never guess it,” he explained. “But I still very much feel like that 12-year-old chunky kid.” He added that the feeling often involved believing that nothing was ever good enough.
The actor also described filming a particularly challenging scene for Iron Jane. His character, Josh, is a former bodybuilding champion who trains Eiza González‘s character. During one sequence, Sklenar had to pose while the camera focused on his physique.
“When I was shooting that scene, I was so uncomfortable,” he revealed. “Dealing with my issues, it was very challenging to work through that.” He admitted that having the camera examine his physique made him nervous.
Sklenar also considered how demanding the experience must have been for González. Her character’s bodybuilding journey required extensive physical preparation throughout the film. He praised her dedication and the work she put into training.
The actor hopes Iron Jane encourages more conversations about body image and dysmorphia. He believes these subjects deserve attention, particularly amid social media’s focus on fitness and physical appearance. His comments offered a personal perspective on an issue that can be difficult to discuss.
