Actress Carrie Fisher recently disclosed that she was advised to shed 35 pounds before reprising her renowned role as Princess Leia, now known as General Leia, in the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Despite being a distinguished figure in the franchise, the 59-year-old star experienced Hollywood’s emphasis on physical appearance and was urged to alter her weight before returning to film JJ Abrams’ seventh chapter.

Expressing her struggle with industry standards, Fisher revealed, “They don’t want to hire all of me – only about three quarters!

Nothing changes, it’s an appearance-driven thing.”

Recalling previous instances where she was compelled to slim down, such as for the memorable ‘gold slave bikini’ scenes in the 1983 movie Return of the Jedi, Fisher acknowledged the recurring pressure to adhere to beauty standards for The Force Awakens.

According to Fisher, the relentless focus on weight and appearance within the entertainment business is disconcerting.

She criticized the industry’s perception of beauty as an accomplishment, highlighting the prevalent cultural obsession with physical attributes.

In a candid statement, Fisher remarked, “We treat beauty like an accomplishment, and that is insane.

Everyone in LA says, ‘Oh, you look good’, and you listen for them to say you’ve lost weight.

It’s never ‘How are you?’ or ‘You seem happy!’”

The actress’s reflections offer insight into the pervasive influence of societal norms and expectations within the film industry, exposing the challenges faced by individuals striving to meet unrealistic standards of beauty.

For more details on Fisher’s journey and her perspective on the industry’s standards, the full interview can be found in the January edition of Good Housekeeping, available for purchase starting today.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set to premiere in UK cinemas on December 17th.