KayCee Stroh famously starred as Martha Cox, an obese however fun-loving woman within the group who cherished to bop. Though there was nothing in regards to the character to be disliked, Stroh revealed that the film followers nonetheless shammed Disney Channel for casting somebody “unhealthy.”
In an interview with Individuals journal, the actress recalled her pals, mentors, and even dance competitors house owners telling her that her expertise was overshadowed by her bodily look. She was being instructed that since she didn’t have the “best physique” she’ll by no means be accepted by the business.
Stroh remembered somebody had written to Disney Channel, criticizing them for casting “somebody as unhealthy as myself,” and claimed she was a foul position mannequin. She defended the “unhealthy” remark saying she’s been dancing for five hours day by day from a really younger age. She’d typically sleep on the studio ground and take heed to the beats.
“It was so devastating to see how individuals simply prejudge others primarily based on one thing as shallow as their outer look whereas they’re right here on this earth,” the actress added.
Explaining the explanation behind her weight acquire earlier than becoming a member of the forged of HSM, she admitted to having had knee surgical procedure and gaining 50-lb within the aftermath.
Nonetheless, she would by no means belittle the truth that the Excessive College Musical franchise gave her recognition and made her really feel “seen” for the primary time. “My complete life I used to be an even bigger, muscular, curvy woman,” she stated. Stroh admitted that the one factor about herself that she tried to carry again was the factor that made her stand out.
In hindsight, she’s glad to have skilled physique shaming at an early age as a result of that helped her shortly construct up empathy for others. “Healed individuals do not harm individuals,” Stroh stated.
She hopes that individuals who’ve had related experiences as her will heal from their internal trauma and “generational physique trauma” that was handed on to them. “I hope you discover happiness and understand sometime that there is a lot extra to life than that,” she added.