Gina Rodriguez Talks About Her Thyroid Disease Diagnosis and Self-Acceptance

Hollywood beauty standards are unrealistic for most people, but add a chronic illness to the mix and they can be downright unachievable for someone looking to break into the biz.

Gina Rodriguez, star of “Jane the Virgin,” didn’t let thyroid disease stop her when her symptoms got in the way of Hollywood’s ideal.

“It began when I was 19 years old and I got fired, and I realized keeping my weight down was going to be much more difficult,” Rodriguez said in an interview with PeopleStyle. “It was difficult for me to stay in the comfortable zone of my weight. I was very tired. My fatigue was through the roof. When everyone else was cold, I was sweating bullets.”

According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million Americans live with some form of thyroid disease, most of whom are women. For people with hypothyroidism, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis like Rodriguez, losing weight can be a challenge, as these conditions cause a lack of thyroid hormone. Other appearance-affecting symptoms include hair loss, brittle nails, and dry skin.

“For women on this journey, have a conversation with yourself. Recognize the voice that comes in but wants to tear down the beautiful amazing human being that you are,” Rodriguez told People.

“You are the most beautiful you. You are the best version of yourself. And when that demon comes in and says your thighs are thick, you say, ‘You know what demon? Yes they are and I am going to work them. I am going to rock the s–t out of my thick thighs and I am rocking this whole damn city with my thick thighs loving them.’”