The singer opens up to ET about internet trolls and finding her own confidence.
She's kicked zombie butt on the small screen, so it's no surprise actress Chloe Lattanzi (daughter of Olivia Newton-John) has no problem standing up to internet trolls.
The blond Dead 7 star recently found herself in the center of a social media firestorm after she posted a revealing photo on her Instagram account. When one commenter wrote that Lattanzi must be "stupid" because of the way she looks, Lattanzi slapped back.
MORE: Chloe Lattanzi Slams Body Shamers: 'Having Big Breasts Does Not Make You Stupid'
"Being unashamed of your feminine form makes you strong. It takes strength to accept and love yourself," Lattanzi wrote, alongside a photo of herself in a bikini. "This message is for every woman who has ever been called stupid or a bimbo for having confidence and for loving your body. Having big breasts does not make you stupid. It's calling people stupid for having big breasts that makes you ignorant. I love you all."
Body shaming has become a hot topic as many celebrities, including Demi Lovato and Ariel Winter, have made numerous public statements about the issue. ET spoke with Lattanzi to talk about body shaming, social media trolls and how she's learned to dance her way through life.
ET: Are you surprised by some of the reactions to your photos on Instagram?
Chloe Lattanzi: I've been in the public eye my whole life, having people watch me and judge me since I was a little girl. I've had an unhealthy obsession with trying to attain some kind of physical perfection. I think a lot of women encounter that.
I've been every girl. I've been the chubby girl, I've been the anorexic girl, and now, I'm healthy and fit. I'm the healthiest I've ever been, and it's just funny that no matter which girl you are, you get criticized.
There are a lot of mixed messages for women. You're either sexy and stupid, or intelligent and a non-sexual being. And I don't agree with that in any way. Women have so much pressure to look perfect, especially on social media with all the people just ready to go out there and attack you for any imperfections.
I went through anorexia, and I hated my body for a long time. I've finally come to a place where I love my body. I'm comfortable with eating and I'm comfortable with showing my body. Not because I think anyone should look like me, but because it's the first time in my life I've been comfortable with that.
If I had smaller breasts, would I somehow have a brain? Would I somehow have more content to my character? I don't think so. I'm just who I am, and like all human beings, our external self has absolutely no correlation with who we are mentally.
New York Daily News columnist Gersh Kuntzman wrote that you cast yourself as a victim in the incident, and that folks who post images of their “glamorous” lives on social media are somehow prohibited from complaining about detractors. Thoughts?
I felt the way he [Kuntzman] characterized me and other people in the public eye was dehumanizing. I don't think it's fair to tell someone just because they have some sort of celebrity, and their life might look good to you, that they should allowed to be hurt. People shouldn't be disqualified from saying, "Please don't call me stupid."
I saw one of his colleagues, Diana Crandall, wrote a rebuttal to his piece. And I have to say, It felt really good to have a strong, successful, intelligent woman like her deconstruct the issue so thoughtfully.
You responded to the criticism with a very positive message. Where do you get that confidence from?
I think I've come to a place in my life where I am finally confident in my body, and I feel healthier than I've ever felt in my life. So when I saw that comment and realized it was from another female, I sensed that that was more about her than it was about me. I think it's important to see these things for what they are. It's easier to move on when you do.
You mention staying healthy and fit is important to you today, and it shows. Can you share some tips on how you approach health and wellness?
I love to dance. I don't like knowing that I'm working out, so I go to dance studios and do cardio hip-hop and Zumba.
I find dance to be an amazing all-body workout. It's good for mind, body and soul. Plus, you forget that you're working out! That's the fun part.
I avoid eating processed foods as much as I possible. Not for weight reasons, but to avoid cancer and all the horrible things that we're faced with.
I definitely take care of my skin. I use Sunday Riley products, and a body lotion called Luxe Lotion from my local Whole Foods.
Oh, and happiness. It's important that I laugh as much as possible.
Your song "You Have to Believe," a reworking of your mom's hit "Magic," was the first mother/daughter duet to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance charts. Are you working on any new music right now?
Yes, I am. I realized that I want to do music for fun as a creative outlet, for my own personal fulfillment. So I'm not like, "Oh shit, I've got to get the next song out or people will forget about me." When I have the time and inspiration to create something cool and fun, I do it. I'm currently working on a follow-up with GRAMMY-winning producer Dave Audé, who did the first single with my mom. He's great, I love working with him.
Who is someone you'd like to collaborate with in the future?
I would love to work with Lady Gaga. I'd love to write for her. I have a whole catalog of songs that I've never released, and I think some of them would be a good fit for her. And I'd love to act with her.
I think Lana Del Rey is captivating. I'd love to create something with her.
You appeared as a kickass zombie-killer barmaid in Syfy Network's Dead 7, acting alongside folks like Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, and A.J. McLean. How much fun was that?
I absolutely loved it. I love acting, so I'm taking acting classes. But it's for me, my own personal enjoyment. I don't play this huge fame game thing. If that happens, awesome, but I'm not someone to go chase it. I'm hopefully going to be working with that production company again to do some more scary movies.
You recently moved up to the Pacific Northwest. How is life up there?
I love being surrounded by nature and being close to my dad! My dogs are so much happier being in touch with nature. I'm surrounded by my dad's side of the family, and it's wonderful.