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Megan Fox suffered a 'psychological breakdown' after being labelled a Hollywood sex symbol

Megan Fox. Image via Getty Images.
Megan Fox. Image via Getty Images.

Megan Fox is opening up about the downside of being dubbed a Hollywood sex symbol.

The 33-year-old actress told Entertainment Tonight that she struggled to come to terms with her fame after landing the leading role in the 2009 horror film “Jennifer’s Body.”

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“I think I had a genuine psychological breakdown where I wanted just nothing to do,” Fox said. “I didn’t want to be seen, I didn’t want to have to take a photo, do a magazine, walk a carpet, I didn’t want to be seen in public at all because the fear, and the belief, and the absolute certainty that I was going to be mocked, or spat at, or someone was going to yell at me, or people would stone me or savage me for just being out... so I went through a very dark moment after that.”

(Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
(Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)

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Fox also revealed that her mental health suffered even more after she spoke out about her mistreatment by “Transformers” director Michael Bay. The actress referred to Bay as a “tyrant” and compared his behaviour on set to Hitler. There were reports of Bay degrading Fox by having the then 23-year-old audition for him at his home, having her wash his car while he filmed her.

At the time, Fox said she felt as though no one cared about her experience and her career suffered as a consequence.

Fox, Bay and Shia LaBeouf in 2009. Image via Getty Images.
Fox, Bay and Shia LaBeouf in 2009. Image via Getty Images.

“I feel like I was sort of out and in front of the #MeToo movement before the #MeToo movement happened, I was speaking out and saying, ‘Hey, these things are happening to me and they’re not OK,’” Fox said. “And everyone was like, ‘Oh well, f–k you. We don’t care, you deserve it.’ Because everybody talked about how you looked or how you dressed or the jokes you made.”

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Despite Hollywood reckoning of former industry heavyweights such as Harvey Weinstein and the impact of the #MeToo and the Time’s Up movement outside of the entertainment industry Fox added that she still doesn’t feel welcome by feminists leading the charge.

Fox with husband Brian Austin Green. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)
Fox with husband Brian Austin Green. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)

“Even though I consider myself a feminist, I feel like feminists don’t want me to be a part of their group,” she said. “What is supporting other females if there is only certain ones of us we support? If I have to be an academic or have to be non-threatening to you in some way? Why can’t I be part of the group as well?”

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Fox married “90210” actor Brian Austin Green in 2010. The actress shared that she attributes much of her healing to becoming a mother to the couple’s three sons.

“I think it took getting pregnant — that was the first real breakthrough where my consciousness shifted, and my mind opened up and I was able to see from a birds-eye view and breath and take it in,” Fox explained. “And then another kid, and then another kid and with every kid I feel like that’s always been the doorway into a better version of myself.”

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