J. K. Rowling’s fantasy series, Harry Potter, changed the life of an entire generation of teenagers and young adults, including the star cast of the movies. Actress Evanna Lynch, who played the shy Luna Lovegood, recently shared how J. K. Rowling helped her overcome an eating disorder, reports Eonline.com. ‘I just adored the Harry Potter franchise and Luna Lovegood was my favorite character, so it was just like a lot of things to process at once,’ explained Lynch, who is now a contestant in the reality show, Dancing with the Stars.
‘When I was like 11, 12, I was battling an eating disorder. Anyone who’s had an eating disorder knows it completely takes over your life. And the only thing that could actually take my attention apart from that was the Harry Potter series. I started writing to J.K. Rowling and she wrote back and we became pen friends after that. I was in and out of hospital and I would be getting these letters.’
Lynch said that Rowling’s ‘books and her kindness really made me want to live again,’ while reflecting on the dark period of her life. ‘I love the feeling of creating and acting more than I love the feeling of being skinny or of being perfect,’ said Lynch.