'Pretty Little Liars' Star Ashley Benson: 'I Get Told All the Time to Lose Weight'

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'But I feel good. I don't want to lose 20 pounds.'


Ashley Benson
has first-hand experience with weight shaming in Hollywood.

The Pretty Little Liars star covers the March issue of Health magazine, where she reveals that her size two frame has been criticized during her acting career.

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Health Magazine

"It’s come up a few times in the last few years, like, ‘You’re too fat for this.’ And I’m just sitting here like, ‘Wait, what? Do you want a skeleton?’" the 26-year-old says. "But I feel good. I don’t want to lose 20 pounds, because I don’t need to"

"I get told all the time to lose weight," she continues. "There was a point where it was getting to where a size two was great. I’m a size two, but I think that size four is healthy. I think that all of these sizes are healthy."

In the meantime, Ashley admits that body confidence is something she's "still working on."

WATCH: 'Pretty Little Liars' Stars Spill on New 'Big Bad' After the Time-Jump!

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"Honestly, if I have to go to an event and I'm not feeling my best? Spanx all the way," she says. "Literally. Even if you don't need them."

During the interview, the actress also details her struggles with anxiety.

MORE: Ashley Benson and Other Stars Tweet Condolences to Vanessa Hudgens as She Prepares for 'Grease: Live!' Following Father's Death

"I started getting panic attacks for two years straight," she reveals. "I could barely go to work. It would get so bad that I would have to leave set."

Despite at one point experiencing panic attacks "every single day," Ashley keeps it in check now by focusing on healthy living.

"I do still get them a little bit," she says. "That's part of why I work out, too, because it has cancelled out the anxiety."

Though hitting the gym has helped her through some of her struggles, when it comes to her dating life, Ashley tells the magazine that she prefers a guy who doesn't overdo it!

"I don't really like guys who work out," she laughs. "I don't like big guys like that. I like skinnier guys. If there's a guy who's super in shape, out the door! Making me laugh is number one."

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Sounds like Ashley's getting everything figured out!

Meanwhile, in January, the Pretty Little Liars star gave ETonline her take on the highly anticipated time jump in the new season.

"It's nice to have mature conversations out of a high school setting," she revealed of the Liars' more adult setting.

And with the new season, comes new opening credits! Watch the video below.