Rebel Wilson reveals how weight loss made her 'more versatile' in Hollywood: 'I had the same skills'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rebel Wilson opens up about how her physical transformation changed how people see her on screen.

The actress rose to fame as 'Fat Amy' in 'Pitch Perfect' but says her 2020 weight loss changed the roles she was offered.

Rebel Wilson reflects on how her 2020 transformation opened new acting doors

Rebel Wilson stars as Lady Capulet in the upcoming musical 'Juliet & Romeo', a role she said challenges the way audiences are used to seeing her.

“When I lost weight in 2020, that weirdly made me more versatile as an actress, even though I had the same skills,” Rebel Wilson told The New York Post while promoting 'Juliet & Romeo', which hits theaters May 9.

The 45-year-old Australian star said she is “playing against type” in the new film, taking on a Shakespearean role far from the comedic characters she’s previously known for.

The movie is a musical reimagining of 'Romeo and Juliet', featuring Wilson as Lady Capulet.

“Seeing me in these Hollywood glossy comedies, you wouldn’t expect me to do a turn as Lady Capulet,” Wilson said.

“But I was a new mother when I got offered this role, and Lady Capulet’s like an iconic Shakespearean mother, normally played quite villainously, although I tried to give it a little bit more empathy.”

“I think people see you differently [after weight loss] and can imagine you more easily in different roles,” she added about her transformation. “So I think that probably had the biggest effect.”

Rebel Wilson reveals how Hollywood reacted to her 80-pound weight loss

Rebel Wilson lost about 80 pounds in 2020 during what she called her “year of health”.

The change, she said, may have influenced how people in the industry responded to her. “It’s interesting, was there some people in the business that called me back that didn’t call me back when I was very overweight?” she said.

 “I mean, maybe it’s just the intention of losing weight that came with it. Or, you read some psychological studies that say you’re more visible than to some people," she told the publication.

She also noted that five years after her transformation, the novelty of it seems to have faded, and people treat her "pretty much the same now,” she shared.

She said at times she's a "healthier version" and other times "still struggling," but admits she tries to stay "more on the healthy side."

Motherhood changed Rebel Wilson's approach to work and life

Rebel Wilson said she may not have accepted the role of Juliet’s mother had she not become one herself.

Wilson welcomed her daughter, Royce, via surrogacy in 2022, and married girlfriend Ramona Agruma in September 2024.

“I don’t put myself first,” Wilson said. “By being an actor, being a performer, as part of your job, you’re a bit self-absorbed," she said.

"You just have to go the opposite once you have a child. I can’t just leave the house. I’ve got to be always thinking about my daughter and what’s good for her," she said.

Wilson added, "I think that’s changed me in a really positive way.”