Rumer Willis gave a moving performance with her graceful routine on Monday night’s Dancing with the Stars, but even more touching was her openness about the bullying she experienced as a teen.
The 26-year-old revealed that growing up she was told she looked more like her “masculine father,” Bruce Willis, rather than her “beautiful mom,” Demi Moore.
Related: Celebrity Kids Who Were Bullied
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“When you grow up with parents that are known worldwide and having so much attention from media and all of the tabloids, magazines, it’s really tough,” said Willis. “When I was a teenager I was super awkward. I don’t think I really felt comfortable in my body or with how I looked, and people were nasty.”
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Through tears, Willis admitted that the criticism had her considering plastic surgery. “I thought … ‘If I change my face or get really skinny, that will be it. That will be the answer.’ And it’s not.” She said her 21-year-old sister, Tallulah inspired her to stand up to the bullies by finding peace within herself.
After the show, Willis told ABC News her reason for being so open, “…I think it’s a really important message. Social media is such a breeding ground, unfortunately, for negativity and I wish if I can have any impact of making that more of a place of positivity and support for people then that would be my biggest wish.”
I watched that DWTS episode too. I was shocked to hear what people had said about her. How can you look at her and think she’s not beautiful!?!?