Daisy Ridley, the 31-year-old actress renowned for her portrayal of Rey in the latest “Star Wars” trilogy, recently shared insights into the profound impact that landing the role had on her life.
A decade ago, director J. J. Abrams presented her with the opportunity, emphasizing the part’s monumental scale and cultural significance, likening it to a quasi-religious experience for fans.
Initially, Ms. Ridley asserted that she was coping well with the ensuing chaos. However, she later acknowledged that what she perceived as normalcy was, in fact, far from ordinary for others. The pressure associated with the role led her to withdraw and isolate herself, grappling with the dissonance between her reality and the fantasy projected onto her.
Apart from her on-screen challenges, Ms. Ridley, who also copes with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), detailed how her anxiety persisted throughout the “Star Wars” sequels. By the premiere of “The Last Jedi” in 2017, her anxiety had escalated to the point where it manifested physically, resulting in “holes in her stomach wall.” This compelled her to take a much-needed six-month sabbatical before filming the trilogy’s conclusion, “The Rise of Skywalker.”
“Stress can cause an abundance of physical issues such as a decrease in energy, headaches and pains to sleeplessness. Stress can also worsen physical issues like obesity, depression, and heart disease. An increase in cortisol levels can lead to hypertension, which is the number one silent killer that everyone should be aware of,” he said.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the last “Star Wars” film and the subsequent quietude, Ms. Ridley admitted to a grieving process exacerbated by the unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown provided an unforeseen opportunity for self-reflection and care, allowing her to confront and process the emotions that had long been suppressed.
Ms. Ridley previously revealed the toll her anxiety took on her physical health during a 2020 interview with GQ, recounting a period when her body was deprived of nutrients, and exhaustion left her resembling a “little skeleton.” Therapy emerged as a pivotal component of her journey toward mental well-being, providing a means to address feelings of being out of control in the unpredictable environment of stardom.
“Therapy can play a crucial role in helping to alleviate both the short and long-term effects of stress. Thus, this can improve your health over time. Getting stress under control and manageable should be a priority for a patient who is concerned about their long-term physical condition,” Dr. Schwartz told The Epoch Times.
“Stress, over time, can shorten the lifespan of even a healthy individual, but it can play havoc on patients with co-morbidities and at risk for heart disease and stroke.”
Learning from her experiences, Ms. Ridley emphasized the importance of self-care, advocating for personal time when needed, and incorporating rejuvenating practices like facials and massages into her routine.
