Jessie Buckley reveals battle with eating disorder and depression

"I had an eating disorder, and it took time, and it took a lot of help, and also it was depression... I didn't know how to be alive the way I wanted to be, and it was difficult, but I do not for a second regret it, and I think I've been able to transform it and recognise our vulnerabilities as humans in the world."

"I've been in therapy since I was 17, I still go every week... When I moved to London, I still wasn't out of the woods. I think there were moments where I was like, 'if I don't get better here, this music, this being part of theatre - I'm not going to be able to do this any more, and I probably won't survive'."

"You know, you can't walk through life not being affected, but you can transform that into something that allows you to be more human and alive in the way that you want to be. And I'm very grateful for everybody who helped me along the way with that, and for the people who held space for that."

A 36-year-old actress from County Kerry has been nominated for best actress at the Academy Awards for her role in Hamnet. She disclosed her struggle with an eating disorder and depression, crediting music and theatre as instrumental to her recovery. Beginning therapy at age 17 and continuing weekly sessions, she emphasized that acting became essential to her wellbeing. A pivotal moment occurred when she nearly suffered a ruptured appendix during an early performance but refused to leave until completion. She recognized that sacrificing her passion for theatre and music would have been detrimental to her survival and recovery, ultimately transforming her vulnerabilities into greater humanity and authenticity in her craft.

Read at Irish Independent