'Cinderella' Star Lily James Calls Waist Controversy 'Sad'

Lily James said it's sad that women are still pointed at for their bodies.

ByABC News
March 10, 2015, 12:33 PM

— -- Lily James is tired of talking about her naturally slender figure.

Last week, the "Cinderella" star defended her "naturally ... quite small waist" on ABC News' "Nightline" after social media users accused filmmakers of digitally altering her appearance in the film to make her appear smaller.

On Monday, she was still fielding questions about her waistline, this time pointing out that the focus on her figure is part of a bigger problem in society.

"On one hand it's upsetting, on the other hand it's just boring," James told "HuffPost Live" on Monday. "Why do women always get pointed at for their bodies? And why is this whole thing happening and I'm constantly having to justify myself? International Women's Day has just gone, and it just feels just a bit sad that it's still happening. You know, I'm very healthy and I always have been."

In fact, her co-star Richard Madden, who plays Prince Charming in the upcoming Disney film, backed her up on just how healthy she is.

"I can vouch for Lily on this. That's her real waist," Madden told "HuffPost Live." "I held it, I know how tiny it was. And she did eat. She eats like a boy."

Madden himself was the focus of speculation when he was accused of wearing contact lenses to make his eyes appear bluer in the film.

Director Kenneth Branagh set the record straight on both stars last week on "Nightline."

“He was not wearing blue contact lenses,” Branagh said. “He has very, very striking blue eyes and when beautifully lit by Haris Zambarloukos, these make for a very strong impact. We did not Photoshop Lily's waist. ... Everything you see is what was there.”

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News. The movie opens in theaters March 13.