Camila Mendes breaks silence on eating disorder and panic attacks during Riverdale

Camila Mendes is opening up about one of the most difficult periods of her life, revealing that the intense pressure she experienced while filming the first season of Riverdale contributed to an eating disorder relapse and frequent panic attacks. The actress shared her emotional story during a recent appearance on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, where she reflected on the challenges of navigating fame at a young age. 

Mendes, 32, explained that her struggle was fueled by perfectionism and the constant pressure to look flawless on camera. She admitted that she felt she had to be at her best every single day, both in terms of her performance and appearance, leaving little room for mistakes or emotional vulnerability. Those expectations, she said, intensified body image issues that had first developed during her high school years. 

The Riverdale star recalled watching episodes of the show and becoming overly critical of her appearance. She said she would focus on perceived flaws instead of appreciating her work, which only worsened her unhealthy relationship with food and her body. Mendes described feeling “disgusting” on camera at times, admitting that the relentless self-criticism played a major role in triggering her eating disorder. 

Alongside the eating disorder, Mendes revealed that she also experienced panic attacks while working on the hit CW series. She explained that the demanding filming schedule often left her with little time to process her emotions. Whenever she felt overwhelmed, she struggled to express what she was going through because she did not want to delay production or let the cast and crew down. 

As the pressure mounted, Mendes was eventually prescribed anti-anxiety medication to help her cope. Looking back, she admitted that while the medication helped her continue working, it also left her feeling emotionally numb. She now believes it was a temporary solution rather than a long-term answer to what she was experiencing. 

Despite the difficult memories, Mendes emphasized that she does not view her Riverdale journey negatively. She said she still treasures many experiences from the seven-season series and remains grateful for the opportunities it gave her. However, she acknowledged that being in her early 20s and having little control over her schedule made the experience far more challenging than it might have been later in life. 

Today, Mendes says she has developed a healthier relationship with herself by prioritizing mental well-being over perfection. By sharing her story, she hopes others facing similar struggles understand they are not alone and that recovery is possible. Her candid reflections also highlight the hidden pressures that many young actors face behind the scenes, reminding fans that even successful stars can quietly battle anxiety, self-doubt and body image issues while pursuing their dreams.