Alyson Stoner opens up about needing rehab after becoming 'medically underweight'

Alyson Stoner checked into rehab after becoming "medically underweight" as she prepared to audition for the lead role in The Hunger Games films.

The Cheaper by the Dozen star has revealed she was one of the actresses who auditioned for the part of  Katniss Everdeen, which eventually went to Jennifer Lawrence, and she embarked on a restrictive diet and exercise program that left her in a downward spiral.

She has now revealed she checked herself into rehab to get help, telling Access Hollywood: "I am not sure I have ever shared this explicitly, but I was auditioning for The Hunger Games for the lead role, Katniss.

I was so committed to the audition process that I underwent very intense physical training, and I was on a very restrictive diet."

Alyson added: "My hair is starting to fall out, my skin is sallow, and I'm medically underweight. I feel obsessive about these behaviours, and I really need help. So I checked myself into rehab."

The 28-year-old star went on to reveal that after checking into the clinic, she was unnerved to see a number of DVDs of her movies on shelves there.

She explained: "When I first arrived for inpatient, some of my projects, the DVDs, were on the shelf, and I had that moment of 'Is it OK if I ask them to not play those while I'm here?'

"'Am I allowed to advocate for myself that way? Because typically I am here for everyone's entertainment, but right now I really need privacy and to be authentic'."

Alyson went on to make a full recovery and concluded by saying she feels fortunate to have been able to access the support she needed when she was struggling.

Where to get help:

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

- Bang! Showbiz

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