Kerry Washington Had a 'Toxic' Eating Disorder

Kerry Washington attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party looking left with a short wavy brown bob and peach strappy gown with flower and ruffle detailing.

Kerry Washington attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

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Kerry Washington is opening up about a past eating disorder. The Little Fires Everywhere star told Good Morning America's Robin Roberts in an interview for an upcoming 20/20 special this Sunday (September 24) about how she contemplated suicide at the height of her disorder. Washington, 46, recalled via an excerpt from her new memoir Thicker Than Water the relationship she had with food and her body during her college years at George Washington University. She said it had "become a toxic cycle of self-abuse that utilized the tools of starvation, binge eating, body obsession, and compulsive exercise."

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"I could feel how the abuse was a way to really hurt myself as if I didn’t want to be here," Washington said in her interview preview shared Thursday. At the time, she was scared she didn't want to be here because she was in "so much pain." Roberts asked if she considered suicide, to which Washington responded, “Yeah," adding her behavior was "tiny little acts of trying to destroy myself." When her disorder spiraled out of control, Kerry admitted she would pray. This was her first time praying as she struggled to maintain her "perfect" image.

Kerry was getting good at being "perfect." She stated she was good at control, partying all night, drinking, smoking, and having sex, and "still show[ing] up and have good grades." The Django Unchained actress was so high-functioning she knew how to manage. However, it was the food that took her out. She developed body dysmorphia and body hatred that were beyond her control. This led the actress desperate for help from someone or something bigger than her because she didn't know how to live with the disorder and all that came with it.

Washington shared that while she is in a much better place now with her eating disorder, she still has to "check myself." The usually private Washington says she is sharing her story now "with purpose." Thicker Than Water releases on Tuesday, September 26.

Celebrities Who Opened Up About Their Skin Conditions

When it comes to our skin's appearance, many factors are out of our control. Many people are struggling with issues pertaining to their skin. For some, certain skin conditions can be hidden away or managed. But for others, there is no hiding something on your face. Even the rich and famous deal with suffering from a skin condition. Sometimes, seeing a celebrity be open and offer a positive approach to dealing with skin issues may be helpful to those who are experiencing the same issues.

Types of Common Skin Conditions

Common skin conditions include acne, contact dermatitis (rash), atopic dermatitis (also called eczema), rosacea, warts and moles, hyperpigmentation, and psoriasis. Skin disorders such as acne and eczema vary greatly in symptoms and severity. Eczema is characterized by yellow or white scaly patches that flake off. Affected areas may be itchy, greasy, or oily, and hair loss may also occur in the area with the rash. Psoriasis, however, is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of your skin cells. This buildup of cells causes scaling on your skin’s surface. Inflammation and redness around the scales are fairly common, and sometimes, these patches crack and bleed.

When it comes to the chronic skin disease rosacea, the skin goes through cycles of fading and relapse. Rosacea’s trademark symptom is small, red, pus-filled bumps on the skin that are present during flare-ups. Typically, rosacea affects only the skin on your nose, cheeks, and forehead. The cause of rosacea is still unknown, and there is no cure. Meanwhile, vitiligo is characterized by loss of pigment in the skin due to autoimmune destruction of the cells that give skin its color. These cells, called melanocytes, no longer produce skin pigment or melanin, causing areas of your skin to lose color or turn white.

Per Healthline, skin conditions can be temporary or permanent and painless or painful. Some can be life-threatening. Some skin disorders have situational causes, such as high stress, while others may be genetic.

Take a look below at which celebrities have opened up about their skin conditions and even become advocates.

Justin Bieber

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The "Peaches" singer has been outspoken about his adult acne onset breakouts for years, and has found ways to make light of it. Bieber previously pointed out his pimples for all to see on an Instagram story with the caption: "Pimples are in." In recent years, he's thanked his wife, Hailey, for helping him achieve clearer skin and hydrating his skin after using drying medication on his face.

Kerry Washington

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The 'Little Fires Everywhere' star has opened up about her "terrible eczema" and how she has been "in and out of dermatologists offices my whole life." In a 2014 interview with 'InStyle,' Washington shared how she managed to keep it in check. "I work with a nutritionist because, to me, beauty is an inside-out thing. I take fish-oil pills, drink lots of water, and try not to eat dairy. Those things have really helped my skin."

Kim Kardashian

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The reality star first spoke openly about her struggle with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a 2011 episode of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians.' Since then, Kim has posted on social media about trying out different remedies in an attempt to keep flare-ups at bay. She's tried everything from herbal ointments and seaweed skincare products to a low-acidity diet and detox smoothies. She went into even more detail in an essay for her sister Kourtney's Poosh site about the autoimmune condition, which she first experienced when she was 25. Kim wrote: "If you have psoriasis, you can't let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over."

Tia Mowry

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After initially having her eczema misdiagnosed, the former 'Sister, Sister' star told 'People' in a 2021 interview that she wanted to share a message with other people with the condition, especially in the underdiagnosed African American community. Mowry was diagnosed with eczema when she was in her 20's but says her journey actually began when she was a child, seeing her mother — and later herself — suffer from it without knowing what the condition was. She said to those struggling with skin health like her, "You're not alone. There are many sufferers out there who are going through the same thing that you're going through… at the end of the day, that's what this is all about."

Cynthia Nixon

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The 'And Just Like That' star didn't know the cause of the facial redness she struggled with her whole life until when she was finally diagnosed with rosacea in adulthood. Nixon has since openly discussed the condition and offers help to others. She told the National Rosacea Society in 2012, "Rosacea might always be on your mind, but it doesn't have to be on your face." She advises, "If you think you might have rosacea, go see a dermatologist. Trust me—it'll be so much better.

Jada Pinkett Smith

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In December 2021, the actress said she approached her journey to accepting her alopecia in a light-hearted way. On Instagram, she showed a patch of scalp that she joked looked like she "had brain surgery," adding, "Now at this point, I can only laugh."

Jonathan Van Ness

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The 'Queer Eye' star says self-care has been effective for his psoriasis flare-ups for 6 months. JVN wrote in an Instagram post: "One thing I've started is gratitude journaling bc of @ruthielindsey and I'm not a doctor but I think it's helped my stress levels & my skin is feeling it. But if I get a flare again she still works it so either way we cool."

Lili Reinhart

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The 'Riverdale' star has spoken out about her experiences with her acne breakouts—and even used the topic as a way to connect with her fans. She once wrote on social media: "My breakouts don't define me. To anyone out there who feels embarrassed or ashamed by breakouts… I feel you. We have each other. So let's get through this acne experience together."

Winnie Harlow

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The Canadian model was diagnosed with vitiligo (a condition that causes skin to lose pigment) at age 4. She appeared on America's Next Top Model in 2014, and has since appeared in campaigns for fashion brands like Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Victoria's Secret. Harlow said about her desire to break barriers in fashion, "Growing up, I never saw anyone like me on TV, billboards or on the runways." Positive responses from people on social media fueled her to keep pursuing her dreams. "If doing this thing that's just fun for me is inspiring people, then it's a win-win."

LeAnn Rimes

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The "How Do I Live" singer embraced her skin—psoriasis and all—by posing nude for 'Glamour' in 2020 to show off her plaques. She wrote in her essay: "Will these photos change the way I live? Will I wear shorts out to the grocery store? I honestly don't know. But what I do know is that it's amazing how small we can keep ourselves. When you finally allow yourself to step outside of what you've been caging in, the whole world opens up."

Jessica Simpson

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After Simpson found an answer to her eczema with a prescription cream, she previously told 'People:' "I am always open. I'm open about my insecurities and my flaws, and if I can help inspire anybody to feel better about themselves, that's why I'm here. I'm always out to empower women, empower people to feel better about themselves."

Cyndi Lauper

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The "True Colors" singer has long been on a mission to raise awareness of psoriasis to help people like her with the condition. She even launched a podcast called PsO in the Know specifically for the topic. She told the American Academy of Dermatology it's taught her to take time for herself, saying, "It's not a bad thing to take care of yourself," She added, "It's a busy, busy world we live in, but how long does it take to put on cream [moisturizer or medicine] or take a bath?"

Kendall Jenner

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The model's struggles with acne have been well-documented, but she's learned not to let it get to her. After posting a #10yearchallenge photo showing how much progress she had made with her acne treatment, Jenner said, "One zit can really freak you out because you're like 'Oh no, are we going backwards again?' But I try not to think too deeply about it because I know it's going to be all good. I want everyone to know I'm okay, and you can be okay too."

Eating Disorder Kerry Washington Toxic