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Succession star Sarah Snook reveals a film producer humiliated her for eating “tiniest bit of cake”

Aussie actress Sarah Snook has opened up about how industry gatekeepers body-shamed her as a young actor and how she felt.

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Succession star Sarah Snook has shared how she was body shamed and humiliated by industry bosses in the early years of her career.

The award-winning actor revealed a film producer criticised her in front of cast and crew members for eating “the tiniest bit of chocolate cake.”

In an interview with the UK’s Sunday Times, Snook said a costume designer got involved and encouraged her to continue enjoying the cake.

“And all the while I am dying inside,” Snook said.

The 36-year-old award-winning actor said she was subject to the cruel beauty expectations of her industry throughout her 20s, and shared how one casting director declared she was a “nobody” and they would have to “change all of you” after she won a role in a film.

Snook has won a slew of awards for her acclaimed performance in Succession. Picture: Getty.
Snook has won a slew of awards for her acclaimed performance in Succession. Picture: Getty.

She said the casting director told her, “We don’t really want you because you’re a nobody, but the director and the writer think you’re good for the role. So what we’ll do is change all of you so that you’re marketable: We’ll whiten your teeth, darken your hair, we’ll give you a personal trainer so you can lose weight and look the part.”

Snook said she felt pressured to co-operate, feeling that “in order for me to be successful, I have to be all the things that aren’t me”.

Snook as Shiv Roy and Kieran Culkin as Roman in Succession. Picture: Supplied.
Snook as Shiv Roy and Kieran Culkin as Roman in Succession. Picture: Supplied.

Snook has become a global superstar for her stellar performance as the cut-throat and driven Shiv Roy in smash television series Succession over its four seasons, winning the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards in the past week Lead Actress in a Drama.

She is also up for the same category at the Primetime Emmys which will be announced on January 16.

Other Australians vying for Emmys include Elizabeth Debicki for her role in The Crown and Murray Bartlett.

Snook’s next big gig is starring in the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray which opens in London’s West End next month, taking over the mammoth task of playing all 26 characters.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/television/succession-star-sarah-snook-reveals-a-film-producer-humiliated-her-for-eating-tiniest-bit-of-cake/news-story/98e53d3ec7b68616c7857738591c39e2