Christina Applegate Opened Up About Being Sexualized As A Teen, And How It Affects How She Sees Herself On TV Now

Christina Applegate looked back at how the vehemence on her " image " as a teen actor has made it hard for her to ascertain herself inDead to MeSeason 3 following her multiple sclerosis diagnosing .

It’s literally no secret thatChristina Applegateis — and always will be — one of my favorite actors. FromMarried… with Childrento her award-worthy work inDead to MeandSamantha Who?, Christina consistently delivers some of my favorite acting performances.

While I loved every single season ofDead to Me, the final season just held a little more magic because of the bond the cast and crew had behind the scenes after Christina’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Abouthalfway through filming, Christina was diagnosed with MS. Christina wasdetermined to finish filmingDead to Meon her own terms, and with the help of creator Liz Feldman and her costarLinda Cardellini, she succeeded. In turn, she delivered her best — and arguably her most important — performance as Jen.

Christina has talked about howDead to Mewilllikely be her last live-action projectas the demands for filming for both TV and movies is a lot with multiple sclerosis, given the long hours on set.

This has led to some great conversations with Christina where she looks back at her long career, what could possibly be ahead, and more. Namely, she’s reflected on how big of a deal her “image” was when she was a teen and how, in turn, it has led to how she sees herself on TV now.

Ina recent interview with Vanity Fair, Christina talked about playing Kelly Bundy onMarried… with Childrenand how being sexualized in Hollywood because of the character was “pretty gross.”

“I was never on the receiving end of any kind of lasciviousness from anyone before [Married… with Children] because I was wearing bells around my ankles and moccasins and wearing patchouli. I was a gross little hippie kid,” she began.

Christina continued, saying, “Looking back on it in hindsight, it’s pretty gross. Yeah, that part of it kind of sucked. Men had posters of this little 17-year-old, with me holding pearls. Like, who let me do that? I didn’t even know what the connotation was.”

For years afterMarried… with Childrenended, she explained that she was offered countless roles that were very similar to the character, but she wanted to do other things so she “never took one of them.”

Christina’s early career being so associated with her image, body type, and more is one reason she’s found it hard to watch any ofDead to MeSeason 3 right now.

“It’s just that sometimes I get cringey about the way I look. It’s so hard to look at myself as this other person, and I don’t look like myself anymore, obviously,” shetold Vanity Fairwhen asked if she’ll ever sit down and watch the final season ofDead to Me.

Christina continued, saying, “And it’s really, really hard for me because so much of my life was my image, and then I see this person, and I’m like, Who is this person with 20 chins? To be really brutally honest, that’s kind of what’s really hard about it for me to watch.”

After her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Christinasaidshe’s gained “40 pounds from medication,” has immobility, and more symptoms that have led to a change in her appearance.

Ever since her MS diagnosis, Christina has been a vocal advocate for speaking about it and educating people about living with a disability.

She’scalled out people in her DMswho have commented on her appearance, she talked about the importance of disability representation afterCandace Owenscommentedon a Skims ad featuring a wheelchair user, and much more.

She’s also leaned on fellow actors and friendsJamie-Lynn SiglerandSelma Blair, who also have MS, explaining that it’s “impossible” for everyone to fully understand what it’s like having MS, but it’s “imperative” for her to have people who understand as much as possible.

WhileDead to Mefinished last year, the show is still eligible for the 2023Emmy Awards, and I’m hoping that Christina gets a nomination for her work in the final season because it’s truly one of my favorite performances from her.

You can read Christina’s full interview with Vanity Fairhere.

Closeup of Christina Applegate at a red carpet event

Judy saying to Jen in bed, "No, I mean, I've had the best time with you"

Jen saying to Judy, "You are not a burden — you are my fucking heart, and I would do anything for you, anything; do you understand me?" And then they hug after Judy says, "I'm scared"

Jen and Judy standing side-by-side

Christina Applegate and her daughter hold hands on the red carpet

Kelly Bundy wearing a bikini in an office in a scene from "Married… with Children"

Closeup of young Christina Applegate

Kelly Bundy sitting on the couch in a short dress in a scene from "Married… with Children"

Kelly Bundy posing in a crop top and short shorts in a scene from "Married… with Children"

Christina sitting in a bar in a scene from "Dead to Me"

Christina standing teary-eyed in a scene from "Dead to Me"

Judy saying to a teary Jen, "I will always be there, okay?"

Jen and Judy smile as they stand in a doorway in a scene from "Dead to Me"

Christina Applegate sitting cross-legged with her hands on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini at Applegate's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

Jen and Judy riding in a car in a scene from "Dead to Me"

It’s literally no secret thatChristina Applegateis — and always will be — one of my favorite actors. FromMarried… with Childrento her award-worthy work inDead to MeandSamantha Who?, Christina consistently delivers some of my favorite acting performances.#

While I loved every single season ofDead to Me, the final season just held a little more magic because of the bond the cast and crew had behind the scenes after Christina’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.#

Christina has talked about howDead to Mewilllikely be her last live-action projectas the demands for filming for both TV and movies is a lot with multiple sclerosis, given the long hours on set.#

This has led to some great conversations with Christina where she looks back at her long career, what could possibly be ahead, and more. Namely, she’s reflected on how big of a deal her “image” was when she was a teen and how, in turn, it has led to how she sees herself on TV now.#

Ina recent interview with Vanity Fair, Christina talked about playing Kelly Bundy onMarried… with Childrenand how being sexualized in Hollywood because of the character was “pretty gross.”#

“I was never on the receiving end of any kind of lasciviousness from anyone before [Married… with Children] because I was wearing bells around my ankles and moccasins and wearing patchouli. I was a gross little hippie kid,” she began.#

Christina continued, saying, “Looking back on it in hindsight, it’s pretty gross. Yeah, that part of it kind of sucked. Men had posters of this little 17-year-old, with me holding pearls. Like, who let me do that? I didn’t even know what the connotation was.”#

For years afterMarried… with Childrenended, she explained that she was offered countless roles that were very similar to the character, but she wanted to do other things so she “never took one of them.”#

Christina’s early career being so associated with her image, body type, and more is one reason she’s found it hard to watch any ofDead to MeSeason 3 right now.#

“It’s just that sometimes I get cringey about the way I look. It’s so hard to look at myself as this other person, and I don’t look like myself anymore, obviously,” shetold Vanity Fairwhen asked if she’ll ever sit down and watch the final season ofDead to Me.#

Christina continued, saying, “And it’s really, really hard for me because so much of my life was my image, and then I see this person, and I’m like, Who is this person with 20 chins? To be really brutally honest, that’s kind of what’s really hard about it for me to watch.”#

After her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Christinasaidshe’s gained “40 pounds from medication,” has immobility, and more symptoms that have led to a change in her appearance.#

Ever since her MS diagnosis, Christina has been a vocal advocate for speaking about it and educating people about living with a disability.#

She’scalled out people in her DMswho have commented on her appearance, she talked about the importance of disability representation afterCandace Owenscommentedon a Skims ad featuring a wheelchair user, and much more.#

She’s also leaned on fellow actors and friendsJamie-Lynn SiglerandSelma Blair, who also have MS, explaining that it’s “impossible” for everyone to fully understand what it’s like having MS, but it’s “imperative” for her to have people who understand as much as possible.#

WhileDead to Mefinished last year, the show is still eligible for the 2023Emmy Awards, and I’m hoping that Christina gets a nomination for her work in the final season because it’s truly one of my favorite performances from her.#

You can read Christina’s full interview with Vanity Fairhere.#