Why Jameela Jamil Wore a Suit and Tie For Playboy Shoot

Gettyimages | Rachel Murray

Jameela Jamil is a popular actress and activist who became famous for her role in the TV series 'The Good Place'. A beautiful model, Jamil has overcome a lot of hardship in her life to be where she is today. She is also beloved by many fans for her advocacy for women’s rights and the LGBTQ community, she has even been nominated for the category of "Straight Best Friend" for the 2020 "Queerties".

In early March, Jamil returned to her modeling roots with a photoshoot and interview for her appearance in Playboy. While many Playboy models appear naked or dressed extremely provocatively, Jamil chose an entirely different look for her photos - an oversized suit.

Gettyimages | Rachel Luna

“I wanted to be shot like a man,” Jamil, 34, tweeted on Thursday along with a few photos from the photoshoot. “No retouching, hi res, loose, comfortable clothes and completely unsexualized. I felt extremely free.” In the accompanying interview, the actress opens up about mental health, her “I Weigh” movement, her relationship with boyfriend James Blake and more. Jamil started the I Weigh community two years ago. Its’ goal is to try to create a safe and inclusive space on the Internet, a place for activism and positivity.

Gettyimages | Rachel Luna

On the project’s website, she writes: “A lot of us want to help others and change the world for the better, but don’t know where to start. Activism can seem daunting. Sometimes it’s just hard and lonely. At I Weigh Community, we don’t believe it has to be that way. We believe in brick-by-brick activism, and making a difference in large numbers. We’re going to have to come together and do this as one to really shift the narrative of our society. We are still learning, and we’re inviting you to come and learn alongside us so we can all grow together. It’s never too late to want to help and understand each other better."

Gettyimages | Phillip Faraone

She adds in, "This movement is so important to me, and I look forward to getting to know you all.” This project came as she opened up about her own problems with self-acceptance in the past.

Jamil dealt with a wide variety of health issues when she was young, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder that can cause symptoms such as joint pain, heart problems, digestive problems, fatigue, stretchy skin and unwanted scarring. Jamil also suffered from anorexia nervosa. As a young woman, she received a lot of attention for her beauty which got her into modeling. As she later revealed, she was encouraged to eat only small amounts of food in order to maintain her slim figure. However, when she was only 17 years old, she was hit by a car, which placed her in a wheelchair for many months.

Gettyimages | Rich Polk

During this time, Jamil said that there was a bright spot – she realized her “sense of purpose” and stopped starving herself. Now, Jamil credits the traumatic car accident for saving her life.

There’s no doubt that Jameela Jamil has risen to fame on her own terms. Her fans love her for her tenacity, hard work, and commitment to causes that matter to her. As the years go on, and Jamil’s career continues to thrive, she will likely continue to make even more fans.