Debi Mazar, known for her role as Shauna Roberts on HBO's "Entourage," has spoken out about a shift in the show's set environment, describing it as "toxic" by the later seasons.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Mazar recounted that the first season was a "joy-fest," but the atmosphere changed as the series progressed. "In the third season, the set was a testosterone-fueled environment," Mazar stated. "I’m tough, but it got toxic towards the end for me."
The actress, 62, specifically mentioned feeling judged for her physical appearance after returning to work following the birth of her second daughter. "They didn’t like that I got fat, even though I got skinny again," she told the outlet.
Mazar, who played the no-nonsense publicist from 2004 to 2011, expressed gratitude for her time on the series despite the difficulties. "It was a lot of fun, until it wasn’t," she said.
The comments from Mazar add to a growing number of actors who have shared experiences of difficult or "toxic" environments on television and film sets. Earlier this year, Rose McGowan discussed how Hollywood executives closely monitored her weight fluctuations during her time on "Charmed." Similarly, Danielle Fishel, who starred in "Boy Meets World," has been open about her struggles with body image during the show's run, recalling instances where executives were concerned about her appearance and clothing choices.
"Entourage" concluded its run in 2011, and Mazar reprised her role in the 2015 film adaptation of the series.
Mazar's experiences highlight a broader conversation within Hollywood about workplace dynamics and the pressures faced by actors, particularly concerning body image and post-pregnancy returns to work. She noted that despite the challenging aspects, she remained professional and valued the overall experience on the show.