'GLOW' Star Betty Gilpin On Body Image And Self Confidence

(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

Betty Gilpin, known for “American Gods” and “Nurse Jackie,” has written an essay for Glamour magazine about growing up with no self-esteem and finding body confidence on the set of her latest project, Netflix’s “GLOW,” which stands for the “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling.”

Also Read: Betty Gilpin Says Shows Like 'GLOW' Are a 'Step In The Right Direction' For Women On Screen

In the essay, Gilpin describes what it was like going through puberty seemingly over night: “Physically, I went from Justin Bieber to Jessica Rabbit. I gained 30 pounds of thigh, booty, and certified American jugs,” she wrote.

“And I quickly learned big boobs have the effect of announcing your presence in a room as if you’re cradling Gilbert Godfrey singing the opening to the ‘Circle of Life.’ Pretty hard to disappear into the wall, which is what I’d taught myself to do before my tits grew to the size of pudding-filled manatee pups,” Gilpin said.

Before working on “GLOW,” in which the ensemble cast of 14 women really learned how to wrestle before filming, the actress worked hard to keep her body from being a focal point. “Having to use this gross ghost in a functional way was not something I had ever thought about,” she wrote.

Also Read: Alison Brie on the 'GLOW' Audition Joke That Helped Her Land the Role

Gilpin said she found power in the female-driven project. “Creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch commanded our set with a greater authority than any of the bro-gargoyles of yore, but with open arms, back rubs, and eye contact,” she wrote.

“This created the constant sense of: You are loved and celebrated-and now that you’re comfortable, please give us your goddamn guts and soul so we can make the best thing possible. Also, have this Philly cheese steak for God’s sake.”

Near the end of filming, Gilpin realized that she no longer felt uncomfortable in her own skin, despite the skimpy wrestling costumes. “I hadn’t winced at the mirror in months. I stood taller. I took up space.”

“GLOW” is now streaming on Netflix.

15 Totally Tubular '80s Moments in Netflix's 'GLOW' (Photos)

Netflix's "GLOW" is back and more '80s than ever. Now that the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling have their own show, all the fashion and culture from the era is bigger than ever. Scroll on for our favorite totally '80s moments from the dramedy.

"GLOW" Season 2 premieres Friday, June 29 on Netflix.
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Leg warmers are one of the most iconic fashion trends to come out of the 1980s. Largely popularized by "Flashdance," they became a staple of ladies workout wear.
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In the pilot episode, Ruth (Alison Brie) and Debbie (Betty Gilpin) meet up for a Jazzercise class. The aerobic dance workout was invented by Judi Sheppard Missett in 1969, but grew in popularity when Missett moved from Chicago to California and began teaching in the city of Carlsbad. Pure-play aerobics were also popularized in the '80s by workout icons like Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda.
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One of the best parts of the '80s was video games. On a visit to their producer's house, the ladies of GLOW find that he owns several arcade games, like Crystal Castles and Asteroids.

Also Read: From ‘E.T.’ to ‘Explorers': When Kids Ruled the Big Screen (Photos)
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Not every trend of the '80s is a good one. During their stay at a run-down hotel in Van Nuys, some of the girls get their tan on. Of course, now we know that lathering up with baby oil and frying in the sun leads to skin cancer.
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Also at Sebastian "Bash" Howard's house party, he has a house robot. These blasted into popularity after "Star Wars," but they went for a steep price. Some went for north of $6,000.
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Old school burger joints might be more of a '50s icon, but the burger stand is an iconic part of L.A. nostalgia. The girls routinely eat at a diner near their wrestling ring.
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Ruth drives around an old Volkswagen Derby throughout the show. L.A. is known for its car culture -- Ruth stays true to that by driving all over the vast city, from the valley to Malibu.
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Rollerskating is an iconic part of '80s pop culture. In one episode, the ladies head to Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale. "I don't trust shoes that move," says Sheila the She Wolf (Gayle Rankin). We feel you, Sheila. We feel you.
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One thing we remember the most about '80s movies are the epic prom dresses. The GLOW crew definitely channels that when they head to a fancy fundraiser in the penultimate episode of Season 1.

Also Read: Alison Brie on the ‘GLOW’ Audition Joke That Helped Her Land the Role
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As we mentioned before, Jazzercise and aerobics were a huge part of '80s lifestyle. The workout gear is almost just as great as the going out clothes. These workout onesies are just one example.
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Let's be honest, the '80s would be nothing without crazy big hair. Debbie rocks a poofy 'do here at her first-ever wrestling match, where she realizes that wrestling is just like a soap opera.
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We learned a lot about '80s A.V. equipment in another Netflix series nostalgic for the '80s ("Stranger Things"). In "GLOW," the team is forced to use a karaoke machine and a keyboard for their first show.

Also Read: ‘Stranger Things': 21 ’80s Relics We’ve Spotted So Far (Photos)
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Again, not all '80s trends were good ones. Smoking used to be way more popular than it is today. It took until 1995 for a statewide smoking ban to hit California, which was the first state to adopt such a policy.
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You can't do a show about the '80s without a slew of classic one-hit-wonders from the decade. The "GLOW" soundtrack doesn't disappoint, and features classic songs like Quiet Riot's "Cum on Feel the Noise," Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" and Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," among many more. Oh -- we can't forget Season 2's nod to "Flashdance," either.
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We can't leave out the wrestling itself. The original "GLOW" premiered in 1986 and featured crazy costumes, larger-than-life personas and big hair as portrayed in the Netflix series.

Also Read: 17 Highest-Grossing Movies Directed by Women, From ‘Mamma Mia!’ to ‘Wonder Woman’ (Photos)
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From Jazzercise to giant hair, the critically acclaimed series is nostalgic for 1980s Los Angeles

Netflix's "GLOW" is back and more '80s than ever. Now that the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling have their own show, all the fashion and culture from the era is bigger than ever. Scroll on for our favorite totally '80s moments from the dramedy.

"GLOW" Season 2 premieres Friday, June 29 on Netflix.

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