Sylvester Stallone Says He ‘Became Bulimic’ After Transforming for ‘Rocky’ and Opens Up About the ‘Terrible Toll’ of Steroid Use: It Was An ‘Obsessive Body-Worship Kind of Thing’
Sylvester Stallone has disclosed in a New York Times interview that he developed bulimia and struggled with an obsessive relationship with his body following his physical transformation for "Rocky." His revelations shed light on the hidden costs of extreme physical transformation for film roles and the profound psychological toll such dedication can exact.
Stallone revealed he reached 2.6 per cent body fat whilst filming "Rocky III" and became so obsessed with maintaining his physique that he developed bulimic tendencies. He also acknowledged regular use of steroids, stating that such transformation is impossible without performance-enhancing drugs, though he cycled them strategically in six-week intervals. He has come to recognise the damage caused by this approach and states he would avoid doing his own stunts if he could revisit his career. His memoir "The Steps" releases on 29 September.
- Stallone developed bulimia obsessing over body image for Rocky role
- Achieved 2.6% body fat using steroids; acknowledges impossible naturally
- Says extreme physical sacrifice wasn't worth the terrible price paid