Tim Minchin has said that having the opportunity to exercise regularly and “catching up” on your fitness levels is a “privilege” given to wealthy people.
The Australian comedian admitted that his “trimmed” figure is only possible now because his career “has been going well.”
Talking with him Meter about the success of his West End show, matilda the musicalMinchin said it has taken “fucking years” for him to get back to health.
“Because being able to exercise is something rich people can do,” he added. “That is one of the privileges that things have gone well.”
But the 47-year-old, who is also an actor, songwriter and songwriter, said he still feels “body shame” and is “never really relaxed unless he’s holding a cushion.”
Minchin’s musical, which opened in the West End in 2011, has enjoyed great success and critical acclaim. He won seven Olivier Awards in 2012, which at the time was the most London theater awards ever won for a single show.
It has recently been adapted into a film of the same name, starring Dame Emma Thompson and Miss Trunchbull and Alisha Weir as Matilda.
The comedian also discussed viewers’ emotional response to his song “Quiet,” in which Matilda sings about experiencing sensory overload.
He told the publication: “I have received letters from autistic people or parents of autistic children who have been largely non-verbal their entire lives saying how this song describes their life.”
Autism is a part of everyday life for Minchin as he has spoken candidly about his 15-year-old daughter Violet, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder two years ago.
He recently told inews that he prefers to use the term “neuro-peculiar” rather than “neurodiverse” when it comes to talking about Violet.
“[Violet is] pretty daring about the use of the word ‘disabled,’” he said. “When she’s really exhausted, panicked, and needs to reduce sensory input, I guess that’s a disability. But she says it’s not about functionality, it’s about necessities. I get it.”
