Ever since Chrissy Metz killed it as Kate Pearson on This Is Us, she’s been busy as a bee. She has been engaged in various activities such as writing books, making music, and making public appearances. Metz has always been open about her struggles, from family issues to harsh public criticism, and her story is full of tough moments she’s worked hard to overcome.
1. Mean Stepdad and Childhood Trauma
Chrissy didn’t have it easy growing up, especially when it came to her weight. Long before body positivity was a thing, she was put on diets as a kid. By age 11, she was already in Weight Watchers. And support at home was seriously lacking.
In her memoir This Is Me, Chrissy shared that her stepfather was especially cruel. He’d make remarks about her body, joke about locking the fridge, and even forced her to weigh herself in front of him. Things like these may not seem like a lot, but for a kid, every mean comment leaves a lasting impact. She became hyper-aware of food, especially when friends around her didn’t have to adhere to the same rules.
2. Relationships Are Complicated
Chrissy was married once to Martyn Eaden, but they split in 2015. She hasn’t said much about the breakup, and even her mom said she doesn’t know the full story. But it clearly left a mark. Since then, she’s had other love interests, like with Hal Rosenfeld in 2018 and then Bradley Collins in 2021. Chrissy and Bradley even released a children’s book and album together. Though they broke up in 2023, they’re still collaborating and released a second book in 2025. It’s clear long-term love has been tricky, but at least she’s got a creative partnership going for her.
3. Losing Weight Was In the Script for This Is Us
Chrissy once revealed there was a weight-loss clause in her This Is Us contract. She told TVLine that the character’s arc involved losing weight, and she was okay with it, saying it was a “win-win.” Later, the actress clarified that the clause wasn’t actually mandatory but more of a character direction that made sense for the story. Metz pointed out that it’s part of the job for any actor, and changing appearance for roles was not a rare occurrence. For Chrissy, playing Kate meant tapping into real-life struggles, and she embraced it.
4. Pre-Stardom Discrimination
Before This Is Us made her famous, Chrissy dealt with a lot of everyday bias. On one of the podcasts, she shared that people would avoid sitting next to her on airplanes or ignore her in public. But as soon as they started seeing her as a “star” everything changed, not always in a good way, though. Now, strangers are suddenly friendly, and that shift makes her question their motives. Are they being kind because they know she’s famous, or do they genuinely care? Chrissy admitted it’s a strange feeling, and she’s still figuring out how to trust people’s intentions.
5. Online Haters Are Still After Her
Despite being confident in her body, Chrissy still deals with online bullying. In 2017, Metz showed up on the red carpet wearing a red latex dress, and, surprise-surprise, the internet had opinions. But instead of going full ham on the couch critics, she thanked her fans for their support and used the moment to spread kindness. In interviews, Chrissy has said the best way to handle bullies is with love because that’s what they really need. Often, she just doesn’t feel like responding at all, but when she does, it’s something positive. Don’t let the haters win, Chrissy! Smoosh them with love!