Stepping onto the red carpet in a stunning white Valentino dress at a New York screening for her latest film “Love and Other Drugs” alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway radiated confidence and comfort in her own skin. However, the 28-year-old actress candidly admits to the struggles she faced with societal pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty ideals, including the temptation to diet and consider surgical enhancements.

In an interview with the UK edition of Elle Magazine, Hathaway, best known for her breakout role in “The Princess Diaries,” opens up about her journey towards self-acceptance. Reflecting on her younger years, she acknowledges that her identity was once heavily influenced by her appearance. “I don’t think I was shallow – I just think I was young,” she shares.

At this stage in her life, Hathaway emphasizes a shift in priorities, stating, “I focus on other things a lot more now. I’ve hit the point in my life where I understand that being skinny is not sustainable, and nor is it advisable, and nor is it enjoyable.”

The actress discloses that she faced external pressures early on, even being offered Botox injections at the age of 23. However, she chose to decline, expressing her desire not to ‘erase’ her true self. Hathaway recalls a phase in her mid-20s when she obsessively examined her under-eye area, fearing the signs of aging. Yet, she came to a liberating realization: “And then I realized the other day they’re not wrinkles; they’re smile lines. If you look at pictures of me from a young age, I’ve been smiling the same way since I was little. And I had that wonderful moment when you realize, ‘That’s who I am.’ Botox would erase that.”

Anne Hathaway’s journey towards self-love and authenticity serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing one’s true identity in an industry often characterized by external pressures and unrealistic standards.