Reid Ewing (Dylan on ‘MF’) details his years-long struggle with body dysmorphia

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Reid Ewing is probably best known for his recurring role as Dylan, the on-again/off-again boyfriend of Sarah Hyland’s character on Modern Family. Beyond Modern Family, he’s worked somewhat consistently on other TV and movie projects over the years, but Modern Family really is his claim to fame. I was always surprised that Reid didn’t have a bigger breakout – he’s tall, attractive and he’s got great comedic skills. As it turns out, Reid was hiding a secret this whole time: he’s been struggling with body dysmorphic disorder for eight years or more. He had his first plastic surgery procedure – cheek implants – done when he was 19 years old, in 2008. Two years later, with another doctor, Reid got a chin implant, then needed another surgery to repair it. He had two more surgeries over the next two years. He described all of this and more in a HuffPo essay – go here to read his full HuffPo essay. Some highlights:

His illness: “Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental illness in which a person obsesses over the way he or she looks. In my case, my looks were the only thing that mattered to me. I had just moved to LA to become an actor and had very few, if any, friends. I’d sit alone in my apartment and take pictures of myself from every angle, analyzing every feature. After a few years of doing this, one day I decided I had to get cosmetic surgery. “No one is allowed to be this ugly,” I thought. “It’s unacceptable.”

His first procedure: “In 2008, when I was 19 years old, I made my first appointment to meet with a cosmetic surgeon. I genuinely believed if I had one procedure I would suddenly look like Brad Pitt. I told the doctor why I felt my face needed cosmetic surgery and told him I was an actor. He agreed that for my career it would be necessary to get cosmetic surgery. He quickly determined that large cheek implants would address the issues I had with my face, and a few weeks later I was on the operating table…”

The endless cycle: “At this point I was 20 years old. For the next couple of years, I would get several more procedures with two other doctors. Each procedure would cause a new problem that I would have to fix with another procedure. Anyone who has had a run-in with bad cosmetic surgery knows this is true. In terms of where I got the money to fund my procedures, it may not be as expensive as you would think. The new business model for cosmetic surgeons is to charge less and get more people in and out. I used the money I saved from acting and then borrowed from my parents and grandmother when I was most desperate.”

Shooting Modern Family: “Much of this was going on during the same time period I was shooting “Modern Family.” Most of the times I was on camera were when I’d had the numerous implants removed and was experimenting with less-noticeable changes to my face, like injectable fillers and fat transfers. None of them last very long or are worth the money.

None of his doctors did mental health screenings: “Of the four doctors who worked on me, not one had mental health screenings in place for their patients, except for asking if I had a history of depression, which I said I did, and that was that. My history with eating disorders and the cases of obsessive compulsive disorder in my family never came up. None of the doctors suggested I consult a psychologist for what was clearly a psychological issue rather than a cosmetic one or warn me about the potential for addiction.”

Body dysmorphia and plastic surgery: “People with body dysmorphic disorder often become addicted to cosmetic surgery. Gambling with your looks, paired with all the pain meds doctors load you up on, make it a highly addictive experience. It’s a problem that is rarely taken seriously because of the public shaming of those who have had work done. The secrecy that surrounds cosmetic surgery keeps the unethical work practiced by many of these doctors from ever coming to light. I think people often choose cosmetic surgery in order to be accepted, but it usually leaves them feeling even more like an outsider. We don’t hear enough stories about cosmetic surgery from this perspective.”

[From HuffPo]

Reid ends his HuffPo essay by saying that he wants to counteract the message from shady plastic surgeons that it’s easy and fun to just get a little cosmetic work done, and that people should take a moment to really examine if “whether it is your mind that needs fixing.” He says that for him, plastic surgery became “a horrible hobby” that “it will eat away at you until you have lost all self-esteem and joy. I wish I could go back and undo all the surgeries. Now I can see that I was fine to begin with and didn’t need the surgeries after all.” I can’t even imagine. My God. This poor kid. If you read the whole piece, the doctors sound so horrible and dishonest too. Ugh.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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53 Responses to “Reid Ewing (Dylan on ‘MF’) details his years-long struggle with body dysmorphia”

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  1. smee says:

    This is a perfect example of what an effed-up society we live in.
    Handsome and talented kid. Totally nails it as “Dylan” on Mod Fam.

  2. Pinky says:

    I don’t understand what I’m looking at. This is all the same person? Man, I feel bad for him and am glad he is being so truthful in sharing his story. Sounds like what Michael Jackson had. And the Jardashians (typo stays). Dear everybody, you’re fine! Leave well enough alone!

  3. Esmom says:

    Omg, my heart goes out to him. I love Dylan on MF, he does such a great job with the character. I’m so glad he shared his story. People, especially teens and young adults who seem to think having the perfect face/physique will magically make all their wishes for a perfect life come true, need to hear about this.

    My son struggles with BDD (also depression and OCD as Ewing mentioned) but not in the same way, for him it’s about being strong and muscular and every single day he agonizes that he might not have eaten enough or worked out enough. It’s harrowing. Every day I wonder when or how we will be able to overcome it.

    Wishing Reid peace and continued healing.

    • mia girl says:

      Esmom – As a parent my heart aches for you. Not enough is talked about in relation to boys that have BDD. Someone very close to my daughter also struggles with BDD/OCD and he seems so ashamed. There is still such a strong stigma attached and not enough awareness among teens/young adults that increasingly, boys are going through these same disorders as girls. This is a generation of teens/young men raised in the age of the Abercrombie / Taylor Lautner six-pack, and I feel there is such pressure now on young boys to look a certain way. When I was a teen, generally boys did not have the same sort of body conformity pressures that girls had.

      I am sending you, your son and family all the positive feelings I have.

      • sarah says:

        I COMPLETELY agree. Especially the stigma of mental illness that men seem to burden themselves. Society creates this belief that men should just ‘deal with it’ ‘rub some dirt in it’. Often times young men feel embarrased seeking help from a school counselor or doctor as they are told from a young age to rely on themselves, since eventually everyone will rely on them the ‘bread winer’. I cannot imagine the pressure a young man (of no means especially) must feel thinking that he somehow must become successful & wealthy to support/attract a woman & have a family

      • Esmom says:

        Sarah, yes. My son can barely bring himself to admit any weaknesses or pain or insecurity to his own therapist, it’s such a stumbling block to healing. It’s crazy how strong the societal pressure still is for guys to be stoic and to just “man up.” We’ve never demanded that in our house, yet it seems those outside forces prevail.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Esmom, I’m so sorry your son is struggling. I know how much you love him, and it must be very difficult to live with. My heart goes out to both of you.

    • Esmom says:

      mia girl and GoodNames, thank you. Your kind and compassionate sentiments just brought tears to my eyes. I’ve always loved my celeb gossip and I’ve come to love my fellow CB posters just as much.

  4. megs283 says:

    OMG. I just want to give him a hug. He’s so perfect as Dylan on MF. You never know what someone is struggling with…

    • Jasper says:

      This. I have it, I was diagnosed in late middle school-early high school w/ a couple other things and by the time I was 18 I was consulting with plastic surgeons about getting work done, a friend ends up telling my parents and they had to intervene and while I still struggle and think about doing it all the time.. I can say I have NOT cut into my face yet and am proud.
      The whole picture thing I can relate to also, it got to the point where my face/features upset me so much that I don’t have any photos from those years except for one or two…and neither are graduation photos or Senior Pictures, Just random photos of me standing around family 🙁

      Sorry if I’m rambling

      • mia girl says:

        Jasper – You are not rambling! It must be hard to share your struggles.
        I hope that you have someone qualified to sharing your feelings with to help you continue to realize the beauty you already have.
        Sending my positive energy to you.

  5. msw says:

    I’m impressed he had the guts to go forward with talking about this, especially as a male. It was interesting to read about this from his perspective.

  6. Hadleyb says:

    What pic is current? He looks cute in the first one but the last one… he looks really ragged.

    I think a lot of PS take advantage of people at their most vulnerable but there are good ones out there as well. I don’t think its up to the PS to check if you are mentally ok though. But I DO think some should say NO if its obvious you don’t need it or have had way too much work and its an obvious problem.

    • swack says:

      This statement: “I told the doctor why I felt my face needed cosmetic surgery and told him I was an actor. He agreed that for my career it would be necessary to get cosmetic surgery.” bothered me to no end. This dr didn’t even flinch when saying it’s necessary for his career to get plastic surgery. This is why you always get a second opinion when you are contemplating something so life changing.

      • Esmom says:

        I know. Despicable doctor.

      • Redd says:

        A commeter here pointed out how to spot a chin implant (can’t unsee) and said cheek implants are more common than breast implants in Hollywood.

        I’m pretty sure a lot of big names have major face work. It might be just status quo in the industry to have a plastic face. Look at angelina jolie’s teenage pictures, she’s had more than a nose job. I’m convinced kylie jenner has a chin implant. If you start looking you see tons of it. It’s probably just the really rich people can afford the better work.

      • Size Does Matter says:

        Those doctors are fucking vultures. They don’t get paid to tell you you’re naturally perfect.

      • lucy2 says:

        That bothered me too. No career should cosmetic surgery a necessity, and no doctor should tell a patient that..
        I feel for him, and give him credit for going public with it. Hope he is doing alright.

      • nycommany says:

        Redd,

        How can you spot the chin implant?

    • AnitaCocktail says:

      The last pic of him with blondish hair is the most recent. Poor guy.

      • Neelyo says:

        Oh wow I didn’t recognize him. I haven’t watched the show in a few seasons but he looks really different. How sad that he went through all of that so young. I hope he’s getting help.

    • justagirl says:

      @Hadleyb well the 1st pic is a few years old, so he’s not just younger, but it’s also pre-procedures and injectables, and also pre-redone procedures…

      I’m sure you didn’t mean anything but in a thread on someone with BDD who is young & has shared their sad story, “ragged” is a bit insensitive.

      • Hadleyb says:

        I apologize. He does look like he’s been through some stuff in the last pic. Stress can make you look like utter shitt. My mother aged over night after a bitter divorce.

  7. Ella says:

    What a sad story but good for him for sharing it! I applaud his honesty and courage, it’s a good reminder that these things affect men as well.

    Wish him all the best, it truly all begins with healing on the inside, not “fixing” what’s outside.

  8. GlimmerBunny says:

    I’s really good to hear a guy speak up about this. I think it’s probably more common among medn than you’d think.

  9. Mrs. Darcy says:

    Really sad, and I do think young men are just as susceptible to these kinds of illnesses nowadays. Even not in the acting industry, you see all of these teenagers with their endless selfie taking, asking their friends to rate if they are attractive, etc. it’s SO bizarre to me. Way too much importance being placed on looks with this generation. Shame on the doctors who took advantage of this vulnerable young man, there was nothing wrong with him. Glad he is sharing his story, wish he would name and shame the so called doctors.

  10. jugstorecowboy says:

    This guy is awesome for talking about this.

  11. Shambles says:

    He’s making me feel sympathy for Kim Kardashian today? What is my life? But reading his harrowing words really makes you think about all these cat-faced ladies who seem like they just can’t stop. Kim, Megan Fox, etc… I feel like we might have just gotten a little glimpse inside their thought process. It’s eerie and very sad. I hope he and all the folks struggling with BDD find the help and peace they deserve.

    • Brittney B. says:

      I know… I thought of Kim (and Kylie) too… Megan Fox is another good example. Women who were already genetically blessed and praised for their looks, but it was never enough, so they continue to mutilate themselves. It won’t end. Kylie needs psychiatric help STAT.

      The way he describes the endless selfies, trying to find a “good angle”… that’s Kylie’s entire life. Kim’s too, but not to the same extent. They’ve turned it into a career… books and apps and endorsements based on these photos. They even admit they take thousands to find a good one. After so many mental health struggles of my own, I can’t believe I chalked it up to vapid vanity instead of considering BDD. They’re textbook examples.

    • justagirl says:

      Meg Ryan too…people who are chasing something that we don’t understand, and they likely don’t understand either. It’s sad to imagine living with that, and worse that there’s a very lucrative industry that’s built up around it, encouraging it “he agreed that for my career it would be necessary”…what kind of world is this?

      It’s not just Hollywood, it affects normal, regular people all over. For some people tattoos are art, for others, they can be part of body dysmorphia, covering up/changing what they have, searching… Very sad that it’s not well-understood, or recognized.

  12. Bettyrose says:

    I don’t know his work, but kudos! Surgery is a serious thing. It hurts, it’s traumatic, and the scars are always with you, even if unseen. Medically unnecessary surgery is such a strange concept. How have we accepted it as normal?

    • Esmom says:

      Have you ever heard or read anything about South Korea? It’s even crazier with the plastic surgery there, really mind boggling. Teen girls routinely get new eyes or noses as gifts from their parents.

      • BrandyAlexander says:

        Have you ever read the Uglies series (Might be called the Pretties series, but I’m pretty sure the first book is called Uglies)? It’s 4 books set in the future where EVERYONE has surgery on their 16th b-day to all look the same. Eventually, their popularity status becomes currency, and every time I read a story about the South Korea girls or the Kardashians, I think of those books.

  13. Msmlnp says:

    Heart wrenching.

    It is really a shame that there is little to no ethical oversight/self regulation of plastic surgery. If a plastic surgeon is not considering their patients mental health, it is nothing short of malpractice on their part.

  14. mp says:

    this is so sad. I think this story kinda shows how doctors don’t really abide by the Hippocratic Oath anymore. Isn’t there some kind of requirement for counseling before you get such an extensive amount of plastic surgery?

    • lucy2 says:

      I really think if you’ve had one procedure and go in for more, there should be mandatory counseling or something to be sure it doesn’t turn into an addiction.
      I recently saw photos of a friend of a friend, who had a completely frozen (and frankly weird) face, jacked up eyebrows, the biggest and worst lip work I’ve ever seen, and huge breast implants on a very underweight body. She looked like a crazy elderly lady who was desperate to be young again…I was stunned to learn she’s only early 40s. It was so clearly BDD and a plastic surgery addiction, I don’t know how any doctor ethically worked on her.

  15. felixswan2 says:

    I really applaud him for talking about this and sharing his story. I think it’s very brave, especially for the industry he is in. I bet the majority of actors in Hollywood have had cosmetic procedures. It’s messed up and gross, and I wish more people were honest about it.

  16. Penelope says:

    This is sad.

    And nothing he did improved his looks at all. He was far better-looking before.

  17. boredsuburbanhousewife says:

    I have loved Dylan since “Do Ya In The Moonlight” and I love him on Modern Family. It is distressing that such a nice looking talented guy felt that he was so ugly he needed surgery!

    I am NOT down with Haley and “Andy” at all — Haley and Dylan 4 EVA!!

    I admire him for speaking out and wish him the best.

    • Ally8 says:

      I know! Dylan and Haley always had such chemistry. This Andy is guy is useless as a romantic interest for her. So awkward onscreen. I keep thinking they finally wrote him off the show and then they keep bringing back. Ugh.

      Dylan + Haley 4eva! (-;

      I’m sorry that Reid Ewing went through such a tough time and wish him all the best. It’s at least good that he was able to develop perspective on his issue relatively early.

  18. Lisa says:

    BDD sucks. It must be even worse for a man, because they aren’t taken seriously when they seek treatment.

  19. Asiyah says:

    I don’t know if I have BDD, but I want to share something and get your input:

    I find myself very ugly. No matter what I do to “fix” myself, I still think I’m ugly. Have a great haircut? Still think I’m ugly. Dress fancy? Still think I look like crap. People keep telling me I look fine and even when I get constructive criticism it’s never “you’re hideous” but more on “oh wear this color. It suits you” or something like that but no matter what I think I am hideous. As a child I was teased a lot and even as an adult had a boyfriend or two imply I wasn’t that attractive but this hasn’t happened in the last 6 years or so and even when I get compliments I still feel ugly. I can’t even make eye-contact and try to avoid mirrors so I won’t hurt myself. Do I have BDD?

    • Holmes says:

      I’m not sure how helpful this will be, and I don’t know if you have BDD, but maybe you will be able to apply some of this to your own situation. I used to experience this too, but I don’t have BDD-I really AM ugly. I’ve never been hit on, cat called, bought a drink, flirted with, or asked on a date in my life. Not exaggerating. I don’t get compliments. A dear friend describes me as “impressively ugly.” I’ve tried all the things you listed, and more…still ugly.

      What helped me was to just accept it and stop giving a f*ck. In a way, it’s incredibly liberating to never have to worry about being attractive to the male gaze, or to anyone’s gaze, really–I never will be, so why waste the time trying? Instead, I’ve focuses my energies on other things–I’ve traveled extensively, lived on three continents, learned other languages. Theres a famous quote from a fashion editor (Diana Vreeland?) that I don’t remember exactly, but I’m sure you can find it–basically stating that we do not owe prettiness or attractiveness to anyone. It’s not your responsibility to be pleasing to anyone’s eye. If you’re not (and I’m sure you’re not actually ugly, so I bet you are) but if you aren’t? That’s on them, not you.

      • KB says:

        Holmes, I just wanted to let you know how impressive I find you. I grew up hearing I was beautiful, but it was never enough. I was always so painfully insecure and self-conscious. It was like I had to live up to some kind of standard even around friends and family. A half inch muffin top or bloated stomach, I felt like everyone in the room would notice and no one would even want me around.

        It was only when I gained a considerable amount of weight in my 20s that I was actually able to find some peace. Did I like my new body? No! I hated it, but as time went on it became a blessing in disguise. I slowly stopped caring what everyone else thought. I came around to your way of thinking – f*%# em! I was never more miserable than I was when I was young and thin and “beautiful”.

    • Kaylah says:

      Oh wow. I’m not a doctor and most importantly I’m not YOUR doctor so I can’t diagnose you but I just want to say you’re beautiful.
      Maybe your getting teased as a child is what has made this thought stick in your head I don’t know but have you ever tried to talk to somebody about your feelings? Not a friend or family brecauaw sometimes you might feel like their telling you whatyou want to hear but somebody neutral? It can make a huge difference to just simply talk about.

      Sending love your way and don’t forget you’re absolutely beautiful.

    • Unwise says:

      Asiyah, I’m so sorry you’re struggling. I was diagnosed with BDD in my mid-twenties, when it first became recognized as a disorderin the 1990s. I had struggled for years with my secret prior to getting a diagnosis and treatment. Therapies and medications can help you if you do have it. It does get better if you get help. http://ocdla.com/bdd-test This link can help you determine if you need to reach out to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment. You can use the test but then look for a specialist in your geographic area. I’m glad there is so much more information out there and you should be able to find a specialist close to you. I wish I could help more, not sure how. I encourage you to at least get yourself to a doctor. Just having a name for what I was struggling with helped immensely. There are resources out there for you and I wish you the very best of luck.

    • MaggieOwns says:

      I’m not a psychologist, so I couldn’t diagnose you, but if you’re feeling this way, perhaps you should talk to someone? We all have our insecurities, but they shouldn’t weigh you down. Having extremely low self-esteem can seriously impede your life, and you don’t deserve that. You should be able to look in the mirror and love yourself, even with your flaws (we all have them!).

    • KB says:

      @Asiyah like others have said, I can’t diagnose you with anything, but it does seem like you really hold onto those negative impressions of yourself, almost like you’ve got a laundry list locked and loaded to support your own negative perception of yourself.

      I could sit here and say “you’re beautiful the way you are!” But I think there’s a much bigger issue at play than your physical appearance and that’s your emotional well-being. The two shouldn’t be so closely co-dependent.

  20. Wentworth Miller says:

    It’s insane how common BDD is, especially in Hollyweird. To think that such a cutie could look into a mirror n not be pleased at least 8 out of 10 with the way he looks. Just sitting there picking away at your looks to the point where you become so desperate for a “quick fix” that you decide to risk your life and go to any random plastic surgeon is so unbelievable. It must be so awful to carry that feeling everyday.

  21. MND says:

    At least he’s tall. Imagine if he had to deal with being self conscious about being short too.

  22. BNA. FN says:

    I’m shocked to read some of these stories. I’ve never looked someone i dont know on as being ugly. I would think to myself that that person has an unattractive or ugly attitude. I believe beauty comes from within. For the person who told anyone that he or she was ugly, they are the ugly one within. I will accept everyone according to the way they have treated others, if I believe someone has a ugly attitude I will just cut that person off. Life is too short to deal with negativity.

    This is off topic: That is one of the reason I cannot understand why some people will follow Brad and Angelina posts everyday just to post something negative about
    them everyday for ten years. I’m not a fan of JA and I would never go on her thread to post one negative comment. IMO, this seems
    such a waste of time and energy to follow someone just to be combative. I will defend BA because I’m a fan but would not follow JA on her thread just to leave a nasty comment about her.

  23. AliceV says:

    BDD is very real, and what most people will never discuss, because it’s not politically correct, is that most transgenders suffer from this too. This poor soul mention that none of his doctors addressed the mental issues behind his desire for cosmetic surgery. And doctors don’t address the mental issues behind those that want sex reassignment surgery either. Because it’s not politically correct to do so.

  24. JenniferJustice says:

    I’m remembering someone from the U.K. who posted here a while back asking why all the show biz people in America are good-looking. She said the actors and actresses in the U.K. just look like normal people. Before I read that, I assume all countries’ actors and actresses were beautiful people, but now I know that’s just the way it is here and we’re brainwashed into thinking you have to be gorgeous to be on screen. We have a handful of regular-looking folks, but for the most part, our Hollywood people are above average-looking if not gorgeous.

    The other day I was watching Investigation ID – some show about murders and mysteries with reinactments by would-be actors and actresses and even they, in that show about real stories about murders, feel the need to use actresses and actors way better looking than the real people involved in the stories. Really?! We even have to have beautiful people play regular joes and janes who did awful things? I don’t understand the need to have us looking at pretty people all the time. It’s neither healthy nor true to the characters they’re playing.