In an open interview with People, singer James Blunt shared insights into the pressures faced by the late actress Carrie Fisher.
Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales, Blunt reflected on how the demands of Hollywood may have contributed to Fisher’s untimely death.
Fisher, renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, reportedly felt immense pressure to lose weight for her return in 2015’s “The Force Awakens.”
Blunt Reveals Fisher’s Struggles with Hollywood’s Demands
Blunt, a close friend who lived with Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, during the recording of his album “Back to Bedlam,” recounted Fisher’s struggles.
He emphasized that the actress was subjected to significant pressure to maintain a certain appearance.
“She’d been really mistreating her body, and she’d just got the job again of being Princess Leia in a new Star Wars movie,” Blunt stated.
He added that Fisher spoke openly about the double standards in the industry, where men could age naturally, but women were expected to remain youthful and thin.
Carrie Fisher had previously addressed these pressures, revealing that she was asked to lose 35 pounds to reprise her iconic role.
In an interview with Good Housekeeping U.K., she humorously noted, “They don’t want to hire all of me — only about three-quarters!”
Despite her humor, the underlying reality was harsh.
Fisher expressed frustration with the industry’s obsession with appearance, stating, “I’m in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance. That is so messed up.”
Blunt further revealed that the pressures led Fisher to relapse into drug use.
On a flight from London to Los Angeles in 2016, Fisher suffered a heart attack and subsequently passed away in a hospital.
Although her death was officially attributed to sleep apnea and other undetermined factors, the toxicology report indicated the presence of multiple substances in her system, including cocaine and opiates.
Carrier’s Daughter and Fans React to Blunt’s Statements
Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, responded to the coroner’s report by highlighting her mother’s lifelong battles with drug addiction and mental illness.
Lourd emphasized that Fisher was always candid about her struggles and would have wanted her death to encourage others to seek help and fight for better mental health support.
Fans have shared mixed reactions to Blunt’s statements.
Some agree with the singer, acknowledging the brutal pressures of Hollywood, while others view his remarks as an attempt to gain attention.
A Reddit user expressed skepticism, suggesting Blunt might be seeking fame, saying, “I can’t help but think this isn’t a grab attempt by James Blunt to capture another 15 minutes of fame since he hasn’t done jack shit in twenty years.”
Others have defended Fisher’s legacy, pointing out her long-standing struggles with addiction.
Another user commented, “I wish he’d stop talking about her publicly without consideration for her family. It just seems inappropriate given that he’s admitted himself that her daughter dislikes him.”
Another fan highlighted Fisher’s own words about the industry’s expectations, quoting her statement to Good Housekeeping: “They don’t want to hire all of me — only about three-quarters!”
While opinions vary, the consensus remains that Carrie Fisher’s life and death were deeply impacted by the harsh realities of Hollywood.
Blunt’s revelations have sparked renewed conversations about the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry and the importance of mental health and addiction support.