Carrie Fisher: ‘I’m in a business where the only things that matter are weight and appearance’

CARRIE Fisher says Star Wars producers only wanted to hire “three quarters” of her for the new film. “I’m in a business where the only things that matter are weight and appearance,” she said.

Actresses Carrie Fisher attends the 7th Annual Governors Awards honoring Spike Lee, Gena Rowlands and Debbie Reynolds, in Hollywood, California, on November 14, 2015.AFP PHOTO /VALERIE MACON

CARRIE Fisher says she was pressured to lose almost 16kg for the new Star Wars film.

It’s been 38 years since Fisher first wore the famous hair buns of Princess Leia, and now she is set to reprise the role that catapulted her to fame in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

But the 59-year-old said she was expected to shape up for it.

“They don’t want to hire all of me – only about three-quarters!” Fisher told Good Housekeeping UK. “Nothing changes, it’s an appearance-driven thing. I’m in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance. That is so messed up. They might as well say get younger, because that’s how easy it is.”

Carrie Fisher on the cover of Good Housekeeping UK.

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in the new Star Wars poster.

Fisher said there was no easy was to lose the weight either.

“I did it the same way everybody has to – don’t eat and exercise more! There is no other way to do it. I have a harder time eating properly than I do exercising. It’s easier for me to add an activity than to deny myself something.”

And while you’d think she would be left feeling quite happy with the results, Fisher says the weight loss has quite the opposite effect on her.

Carrie Fisher’s iconic bikini.

Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in 1977.

“When I do lose the weight I don’t like that it makes me feel good about myself. It’s not who I am.”

Fisher also added that she is frustrated with Hollywood’s obsession with appearance.

“We treat beauty like an accomplishment and that is insane. Everyone in LA says, “Oh you look good,” and you listen for them to say you’ve lost weight,” she described. “It’s never, ‘How are you?’ or ‘You seem happy!”’