Jonah Hill said that after years of “public mockery” about his body, he finally loved and accepted himself.
The 37-year-old actor posted a screenshot of a Daily Mail story on Friday, which included photos of the shirtless actor after surfing in Malibu.
“I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in the pool before I was 30, even in front of family and friends,” he captioned the photos. “It probably would have happened earlier if my childhood insecurities were not exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by the press and interviewers.”
He added that the media “chasing him” and printing pictures of him does not shake him anymore.
“I’m 37 and I finally love and accept myself,” he continued. “This is not a ‘good for me’ post. And it’s definitely not a ‘feel bad for me’. It is for children who do not take their shirt off in the pool. Have a good time. You are wonderful, incredible and perfect. All my Love.”
“You are the best in the world, I love you,” commented Hill’s sister, Beanie Feldstein, in the post.
Justin Timberlake also commented in the post: “You are a G !!! And my animal spirit! I love you bro! “
The “Wolf of Wall Street” actor had already opened up about body image and fashion in an interview with GQ last year.
“I was always interested in personal style and fashion, but I was always a bigger guy,” he told the magazine. “It is very difficult when you are overweight to dress in a certain way, because clothes are not made for overweight people to have style. So, I think it surprises people. “
Hill became an unexpected style icon in 2018, when he started showing off trendy streetwear brands. In 2020, he confirmed that he was collaborating on a project with Adidas.
Meanwhile, Hill – who was seen surfing many times during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – broke off his engagement to fiancee Gianna Santos in October 2020. It was reported at the time that the separation was amicable.