Entertainment
Andra Day reveals she battled porn and sex addiction: ‘I’m definitely in a healthier place’
Singer Andra Day has revealed how playing Billie Holiday helped her find ‘strength’ in her femininity after battling porn and sex addiction.
The actress wowed viewers with her critically-acclaimed performance as the jazz icon in The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
Speaking about her deliberate decision not to sexualize the legendary singer, the 36-year-old told InStyle: ‘I didn’t want any element of sexualization. I had come out of something in my own life — dealing with porn addiction, sex addiction.
‘I’m being very, very candid with you because I’m not the only one. But I knew I wanted all of that very much gone.’
The Rise Up hitmaker stated she is in a much better place after working on the film as she continued: ‘I feel now, after playing Billie, that I’m honoring her, and the strength that is femininity.
‘I’m definitely in a healthier place to enjoy that because I’m outside of the addiction, if you will. So, yeah, it’s been really fun, because it’s been very new for me.’
The actress – who won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Billie – also opened up about losing 40 pounds for the role as she stated: ‘I’ve had people ask me, “Do you feel prettier now that you’ve lost weight?”
‘I was like, “Hell, no! I liked being juicy! I was cool”. But I do like the way [the weight loss] feels on my body, I like the way it feels on my joints. You do notice a difference.’
She continued: ‘Besides, to me, there is no such thing as a classic beauty. Beauty takes on so many different forms, in different times and depending on the nation. It’s just about being confident, loving yourself, and understanding your value.’
The singer added: ‘And it has to do with Billie. It was almost like she said, “Sis, we’re going to have to close this, because I have to survive.” She opened me up to valuing myself in a way that I hadn’t fully before.’
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