'Cinderella' Star Maddie Baillio Shares AMAZING 150 Lb Weight Loss Journey

Actress Maddie Baillio, known for her lead role in 2016's "Hairspray Live!," just spoke about her journey to a healthier weight since the pandemic hit. Besides "Hairspray Live!," the star has featured in other supporting roles such as "Dumplin'" and Camila Cabello's version of "Cinderella."

In an interview, Baillio spoke about what got her on the road to her weight loss journey and how she stayed there. The actress revealed that over the past two years, she has shed at least 150 lbs through a strict healthy diet and regular exercise.

Read on to learn more.

During her 2016 role in "Hairspray Live!," Baillio played Tracy Turnblad, the best friend of Penny Pingleton (Ariana Grande). The actress spoke to People Magazine recently and explained everything behind her dramatic weight loss since starring in the film.

Baillio revealed that when the world went on pause during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, she focused on her health and wellness. Due to this, she lost more than half of her previous body weight, around 150 lbs, within the course of two years. The actress explained that she was currently in a great place with her body and the people around her.

"Life is good," Baillio said. "I'm in a lovely, healthy relationship with myself and my body and my family and my partner, [boyfriend Solomon Reynolds]. … I'm in a much more centered, grounded place."

The actress looked back at her time in Cabello's "Cinderella" movie towards the start of 2020 and noted some difficulties she faced on stage. Baillio explained that although she felt comfortable in her body then, she found it increasingly difficult to keep the same pace as other performers in the musical movie.

The "Dumplin'" actress recalled a deleted scene that was scrapped off because they had to reshoot it multiple times. "There was a scene that didn't make it in the movie, where me and the other stepsister [Charlotte Spencer] led a group of like 300 girls — fantastic dancers, slender, they had it going on — down this 50-yard pathway to the castle singing 'Single Ladies' and dancing," Baillio said per People.

"I couldn't keep up with the choreography. I kept losing my breath. We'd have to start reshooting the scene over and over for me," she continued.

Following her move to Texas from the London set, Baillio revealed that she decided to build up her stamina and started by going on 30-minute walks. She explained that the activity benefited her mental and physical health, and she increased her time in the sun from 30 minutes to an hour. By the next week, the actress had started walking for two hours.

"I stepped on the scale, and that was inspiring to see that I had control over something — that I had control over my body," Baillio added per People. She revealed that she also made changes to her diet, like removing red meat entirely. Further down, the actress turned vegan and indulged in acts like hot yoga and other activities.

These all contributed to her stamina, and according to Baillio, her "whole world opened up" because of her ability to keep up with the rest. "I'd go to West Hollywood, and I could dance forever throughout the night. Life became so much more fun when I had that physical stamina," the actress continued.

Baillio revealed that she did not feel particularly limited in the film industry when she was bigger; however, her weight loss gave her even more opportunities. She also revealed that she felt hopeful that people would be given opportunities in the industry regardless of their respective sizes.

"I'm inspired by the changing mentality," the actress said according to People. "I wanna play my dream roles on Broadway that have nothing to do with my weight. And I definitely see it going that direction."

She encouraged people to feel confident about themselves regardless of how they looked. "We have to feel good about ourselves. It can't come from outside sources," Baillio said.

The Marylin Monroe voice actress revealed that when she was bigger and fixated on her weight, people tried to encourage her, but their comments weren't good for her. Baillio explained, "Because you never know who's struggling with what, how they got to that point."