Cinderella actress Lily James promotes healthy body image: It's important to be healthy, confident and natural

Cinderella lead actress Lily James wants to promote a healthy body image.IMDb

Controversies have surrounded Cinderella's exceptionally tiny waist in the upcoming live action movie, and people have been speculating that digital enhancement has a lot to do with it.

But Cinderella lead actress Lily James has denied the accusations, saying that she just has a naturally tiny waist that has only been made smaller because of a corset. She added that she is not a fan of the super skinny look and wants girls everywhere to strive for a healthy body image instead of desiring to be skinny.

"For girls growing up sometimes I think they get the wrong idea for what women should look like," she told E! Online. "And I think it's so important to be healthy and confident and natural. And not put too much stress on trying to be thin—I don't get the thin, thin thing at all."

The British actress is really miffed with people who keep on bashing her and the movie for promoting an unhealthy body ideal to young girls because of her tiny waist.

"I think it's all very hypocritical, and they contradict themselves, and they're drawing more attention to it. I think all that stuff's so negative, and you've got to let it wash over your head," she told The L.A. Times. "I'm so healthy. I've got hips and boobs and a bum and a small waist."

James explained that the look was achieved because of the huge skirt and the corset. Despite the criticisms they have received, the actress loves the look of Cinderella.

"I think it's a beautiful gown with a beautiful shape," she said. "I love the curves. I think it's very old and 40s, the way it goes in and out. It's what made me feel like I could be a princess."

The first time she put on the costume, replete with Swarovski crystals on her hair and butterflies sewn onto her shoulders, James could not help but feel special. "It felt like a suit of armour," she said.