The body double for Gwyneth Paltrow in the 2001 comedy “Shallow Hal,” Ivy Snitzer, has granted a rare interview, shedding light on the profound impact of her role as Paltrow’s stand-in within the film.
The movie’s narrative revolves around Hal (played by Jack Black), an individual fixated on dating conventionally “attractive” women. Under hypnosis, Hal starts seeing inner beauty and falls in love with Rosemary (Paltrow), oblivious to her physical appearance differing from his perception.
Ivy Snitzer, cast as Paltrow’s body double, embodied the character in scenes where the actress would have worn a 25-pound fatsuit and prosthetics. Snitzer was specifically chosen for body, thigh, and arm closeups of the character Rosemary.
Paltrow alternated between scenes with and without the fatsuit, the latter aimed at depicting how Hal views Rosemary through his hypnotized lens.
Speaking with The Guardian in a recent interview, Snitzer shared her underestimated realization of the widespread exposure her body would receive through the film, and the subsequent toll on her mental and physical well-being.
“The idea that the film would reach millions of people didn’t cross my mind,” Snitzer admitted. Reflecting on the experience, she recounted, “It was as if the negative aspects associated with being overweight were intensified. And nobody was telling me that I was funny. Being overweight isn’t the worst thing. I became really scared.”
Struggling with these emotions, Snitzer questioned her involvement in fame and acting. She expressed, “Perhaps I’ve had enough of fame. Maybe acting isn’t for me anymore. Maybe I should pursue something else. I just wanted to make people laugh, not make them sad.”
Snitzer highlighted that she was chosen for the role due to her personality, sharing, “Among all the individuals they could have cast for that job, they chose me because of my personality.”
She candidly revealed her past struggle with self-perception, saying, “Before, I had to fight hard to be recognized for my personality, not just my size. I wasn’t body positive, as that concept didn’t really exist then. I was more like ‘me positive’ because I thought, ‘I’m funny, and that should be enough!’ I disliked my body as society expected. I dealt with eating disorders that I was strangely proud of.”
Snitzer clarified that the film itself didn’t make her feel negatively about her body. She expressed, “It was only when others began telling me I should feel bad about myself that it started affecting me.” She recalled, “I wished to be small and unnoticed. That sentiment was likely there, but I don’t distinctly remember actively thinking about it. My personality always took precedence. I’ve always been a personality within this body.”
In 2020, Gwyneth Paltrow revealed in an interview with W magazine that her role in “Shallow Hal” was her least favorite performance. She described wearing a fatsuit for the role as a “disturbing” experience, reflecting on the discomfort and humiliation she felt due to societal reactions. The film “Shallow Hal” faced criticism upon release for its perceived discrimination and mockery of overweight individuals.
