JOAN COLLINS - JOAN COLLINS REVEALS DIET PRESSURE

JOAN COLLINS REVEALS DIET PRESSURE

Joan Collins has revealed she was made to lose weight and had to conform to a strict beauty regime when she started out as a young actress.

Joan Collins was forced to lose weight when she was a young actress, even though she only weighed 125lbs.

The 76-year-old former 'Dynasty' star had to cut her hair, wear make-up at all times and agree to never wear jeans to keep her contract with film studio 20th Century Fox in the 1950s.

She revealed to Britain's The Times newspaper: "When I was young I rejected the glamorous look of stars from previous eras but the studios were all strict.

"If you were under contract you had to conform to their rigid looks and dress code. It had to be glamour all the way, and I hated it. When the Fox bosses first saw me, they insisted I lose weight immediately, even though I was only 125lbs, and cut my hair.

"Moreover, I should never, ever be seen in public without make-up and should be properly dressed. Jeans were for horse riding. A young starlet had to be groomed to the nth degree at all times. I went along with this edict because I didn't have much choice."

Eventually, Joan - who is now known for her ultra-glamorous style - embraced her new image, and grew to love spending hours making herself beautiful.

She said: "Eventually, it all became second nature. After six years under contract and 10 movies, I began to enjoy it."