Rupert Everett has revealed that he 'almost crippled himself' in his pursuit of the perfect physique during his heartthrob years in the 1990s. The 67-year-old actor, best known for his role in My Best Friend's Wedding and currently starring in Disney+ series Rivals, said he frequently lifted weights at the gym to build muscle but often skipped learning proper techniques, finding them 'boring'.
Consequences of Neglecting Stretching
Speaking to The Guardian, Everett explained: 'I ruined myself. Now I'm almost crippled as a result.' He elaborated on his approach: 'I could never be bothered to do all those things, like stretching, which were necessary for lifting weights, because your tendons get tighter and tighter. I didn't do any of that. So now my demise will be musculoskeletal, I think.'
False Bodysuits on Camera
Everett, who first rose to fame in the 1980s, also disclosed that he used to wear 'false' muscular bodysuits under his costumes on set, as he felt self-conscious about his physique since childhood. He claimed directors were often unaware of the ruse, as he would 'go into the fittings for the costumes with all my things on'.
His career took off with the play and film adaptation of Another Country, Julian Mitchell's story about a gay pupil in a 1930s private school. Memorable roles include Julia Roberts' wingman in the 1994 romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding, followed by parts in St Trinian's and the Shrek franchise in the 2000s.
Clarification on Emily in Paris
In August 2025, Everett issued a statement to clarify that he was not 'fired' from the Netflix series Emily in Paris. The actor, who played Italian fashion designer Giorgio Barbieri in season four, had earlier suggested he was dropped during an event in Italy, saying: 'I was in bed for two weeks because I couldn't get over it. I did a scene in the latest season, and they told me, "Next year we'll speak." I waited for them to call me – but ultimately, it never came, and they just fired me.'
However, in a statement to The Independent, Everett clarified: 'In reference to the recent articles about me and the Netflix series Emily in Paris, I would like to confirm that I was never fired from the show. I was talking to a group of acting students — in my shaky Italian — at a festival in the south of Italy, and it all got a little lost in translation!'
