Sam Claflin Reveals Why Filming Topless Scenes Triggered His Body Dysmorphia

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Sam Claflin, known for his roles in popular shows like The Hunger Games and Daisy Jones & the Six, recently shared that he often appears more confident on screen than he feels. In a recent interview on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Claflin admitted to struggling with body dysmorphia for a long time. He explained that he used to be extremely anxious about filming shirtless scenes, especially when he wasn’t prepared for them.

The actor remembered being added to a shirtless scene just a week before filming one of his early movies. He hadn’t been working out, and felt panicked, worried about how people would see him – he considered it his first real public appearance.

Sam Claflin thinks these insecurities started in his teens. He went through puberty later than other boys and never felt particularly handsome or strong compared to his friends.

You know, it’s funny, even after all these years and some good roles, I still cringe when I see myself on screen. I was just at a screening the other day, and I actually told my friends I hated it! It’s a weird thing, but I just haven’t gotten used to how I look in motion pictures. Honestly, the whole industry is tough, and with everyone commenting on everything online, it’s made dealing with my body dysmorphia even harder over time. It’s something I really struggle with, even now.

He’s spoken before about the pressure in Hollywood to have a perfect physique – specifically, the idea that male leads need six-pack abs to be successful. While he doesn’t fault the industry, he admits this environment intensified his own desire to reach an unrealistic body standard. For Claflin, this is a constant challenge, and he’s still working on accepting that he doesn’t fit the typical mold of a ‘leading man’.

Sam Claflin is currently experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to his new TV series, Vanished. The mystery thriller, which premiered February 1st on MGM+ and Prime Video, is already a hit. The show follows Alice as she tries to find Claflin’s character, Tom, after he vanishes during a train trip in France.

People who enjoy his previous roles have also seen his name mentioned in connection with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, as he recently shared that he’s hoping to make a brief appearance in the new film.

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2026-02-06 13:44