There's no denying that J.K. Rowling's long-running Harry Potter franchise has made a huge cultural impact. From the record-breaking best-selling books to the highly-successful blockbuster film series, the amusement parks, plays, sporting events, role-playing games, and wide-reaching online fan communities it inspired, the lasting resonance of Rowling's beloved creation is hard to downsize. In fact, one could reasonably argue that a new generation of pop culture aficionados was raised on these literary works -- much in the same way that several generations were very inspired by George Lucas' massive Star Wars cultural juggernaut. And with that influence comes the power and motivation to change people's lives for the better.
That includes Evanna Lynch, the actress who played Luna Lovegood. The former Harry Potter actress-turned-Dancing with the Stars contestant opened up about her struggle with an eating disorder, and Lynch claimed that J.K. Rowling's best-selling books played a big role in providing help and motivation in her journey. Here's what Evanna Lynch said when she was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight in the midst of rehearsals for DWTS.
I believe on raising awareness on this issue and it's very healing for me to talk about this stuff. I wanted to talk about how before Harry Potter, I was quite sick, and how the Harry Potter books really helped me through an eating disorder. And the reason I wanted to talk about it on here, it's really healing for me... That is the full story, that's the only kind of honest way to tell it, and that's why it was so special because it was the only kind of light that I saw in the world at a very dark time.
It can be hard to discuss such personal and emotional topics, but Evanna Lynch believes it's important to shed a light on these discussions in order to raise awareness, and hopefully help other people struggling with the same issues. The battle that Lynch once faced is one that continues to affect many around the world, and she hopes that being honest and real about her struggles with an eating disorder will inspire other people to seek the help they need -- much like how J.K. Rowling's fantasy creation helped Lynch during her own darkest period.
Evanna Lynch will be returning to the dance floor next week alongside her dancing partner, Keo Motsepe. Their last dance together on the world's stage was based on a tune many Harry Potter fans recognize. Dancing the Viennese Waltz, Lynch and Motsepe strutted their stuff to "Hedwig's Tune."
Harry Potter fans were first introduced to Evanna Lynch when she appeared in 2007's Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, the fifth film in the long-running Harry Potter franchise. She appeared in the following installments, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2, where she played a major role alongside the titular character. Her involvement with the franchise hasn't continued since she reprised her role of Luna Lovegood in 2015's Lego Dimensions video game, although you can see Lynch on the dance program next week.
Dancing with the Stars airs again on Monday on ABC at 8 PM ET/PT. Meanwhile, the Harry Potter film franchise continues on with the upcoming sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, which flies into theaters on November 16th. The wizarding world of Harry Potter shall continue.
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