Naomie Harris is looking back at a “traumatic” time in her teens.
The Oscar-nominated actress, 43, is Shape magazine‘s October cover star and opened up about being diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11 and how that diagnosis changed her outlook on a healthy body.
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“The progression of the disease became severe in my teens, and I needed an operation,” she explained. “Doctors inserted a metal rod down my spine. I spent a month in the hospital recovering and had to learn how to walk again. It was really traumatic.”
And after her recovery, she was thankful for the body she was born with.
“I saw kids in the hospital with scoliosis so advanced that they would never be able to stand properly,” Harris said. “I felt really lucky. Since then, I have always appreciated the gift of a healthy body.”
Harris still has that same mindset.
“I don’t abuse my body. Health is the greatest thing you can have,” she said.
Adding, “I’m a really healthy eater. I believe that only through trial and error do you find what works for you, and my diet is based on what I’ve discovered from years of experimenting and listening to my body.”
Harris’ next project, “Black And Blue”, hits big screens September 20.
