Rebecca Adlington on 'nose surgery': ‘I’m definitely happier with how I look now’
The Olympic gold-winning medallist talks about the impact of her rumoured nose job
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Your support makes all the difference.Rebecca Adlington has managed to overcome insecurities about her appearance, after becoming targeted by internet trolls who criticised her features.
The Olympic gold-winning swimmer reportedly underwent nose slimming surgery at a leading Harley Street clinic in February this year.
“I’m definitely happier with how I look now,” she told The Daily Mail, of her ongoing struggles with her body image. “But I wouldn’t necessarily say happy. I think you still always see the same thing when you look in the mirror. A lot of people tell me that you get more comfortable with yourself with age and obviously I’ve still got a lot of growing up to do.
“But I will never have this figure that’s big-boobed and tiny waist and curvaceous bum. I know I have got slightly bigger shoulders than some people and an average cup size, that’s not going to change.”
Since rising to fame for her numerous sporting achievements (she won bronze twice in the 2012 London Olympics, as well as scooping two gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics), the 25-year-old has been scrutinised over her physical attributes. Adlington has never confirmed whether or not she did have surgery.
“If somebody else wants to know [that], well tough luck,” she said. “It’s my life. Loads of women have loads of things that they do – like a Kim Kardashian or whatever – but I just think if you open yourself up in that way, there’s a lot more that happens.”
“I’ve never opened the door in that way. I never set out to be in the spotlight. I’ve fallen into it by doing something that I love, that is my passion.”
Last year, the swimmer appeared on reality television show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! and broke down in tears after repeatedly comparing herself to glamour model contestant Amy Willerton. She says that, although she has increasingly come to terms with her looks, dealing with Twitter trolls is still unpleasant and she has blocked “at least 2,000 people”.
Her fiancé, Harry Needs, wants her to stop checking her social media accounts at home.
“I sit there at eight o’clock at night and Harry’s saying, ‘Bec, why are you checking Twitter? You’re allowing them into our home.’ I’d never thought of it that way,” she said. “You’re sat there in your home, which is your comfort zone, and yet you’re reading comments from other people and allowing them in. I thought yes, you’re right. Why am I doing this? I’ve tried to stop it now - although I do it if Harry’s out.”
Adlington recently appeared on daytime television show Loose Women as a guest panellist.
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