Imogen Willis

[Perdita]

Neighbours teen Imogen Willis will panic when Susan Kennedy realises that she has an eating disorder.

Susan (Jackie Woodburne) makes the discovery about Imogen when she starts to spend more time with the Willis family, quickly sensing that all is not right.


Ariel Kaplan, who plays Imogen, told TV Week: "It's discovered that Imogen has an eating disorder she's been keeping from everyone. It's actually Susan who finds out. She comes over to the house, sees the family dynamic and realises how disregarded Imogen is.

"She wants to make sure Imogen is okay, but soon finds out she isn't and that Imogen has an eating disorder."

When Susan tries to raise the issue, Imogen firmly insists that her suspicions are incorrect.

Kaplan explained: "Imogen is a smart girl, so she's scared to be seen as vulnerable and weak. Having an eating disorder scares her. So the immediate reaction is to deny it - it's a defence mechanism."

As the story progresses, viewers will see that Imogen's problem is closely linked to the issues she is facing at home.

"It's so common for young women to struggle with eating disorders," Kaplan added. "But what I liked about it was that, for Imogen, it's not a superficial thing, it's about control."

Neighbours airs these scenes next week on Eleven in Australia, and in September on Channel 5 in the UK.

[gillyH1981]

Eating her feelings

Imogen Willis has largely flown under the radar since her family arrrived in Erinsborough, overshadowed by her brother, Joshua (Harley Bonner) and bickering parents. However, this week in Neighbours, we learn the lack of attention paid to Imogen has started to take it's toll on the teen. "It's discovered that Imogen has an eating disorder she's been keeping secret from everyone," Ariel Kaplan, who plays Imogen, says. "It's actually Susan who finds out. She comes over to the house, sees the family dynamic and realises how disregarded Imogen is." Ariel explains. "She wants to make sure Imogen is OK but soon finds out she isn't and that Imogen has an eating disorder.

Imogen instinctively retreats into denial mode, pushing Susan (Jackie Woodburne) away and laughing off the suggestion. "Imogen is a smart girl, so she's scared to be seen as vulnerable and weak," the 19-year-old actress says. "Having an eating disorder scares her. "So, the immediate reaction is to deny it. It's a defence mechanism." Eating disorders and body image are hot topics with teenage girls in Australia and Ariel admits she was pleased with the way Neighbours handled such sensative issues. It's so common for young women to struggle with eating disorders," Ariel says, but what I liked about it was that, for Imogen, it's not a superficial thing, it's about control.

"I really wanted to do the storyline justice, so I went to the Butterfly Foundation and got as much imformation from them as possible." It's also an issue that hits close to home for the young actress, who has grown up in a family of performers. Ariel's older sisters are both actresses; Dena, 24, is familiar to audiences thanks to her work in ABC's Dance Academy while also appearing in the short-lived Tricky Business. Meanwhile, Gemma-Ashley, 27, has appeared in Network Ten's Mr & Mrs Murder as well as Offspring. "Coming from a family of three girls involved in dancing, music and acting, eating disorders and body image issues were always around us." Ariel explains. "We spoke about it - it was something we noticed. It was confronting."

Source: TV Week 3rd - 9th August 2013

[Dazzle]

It's so common for young women to struggle with eating disorders," Ariel says, but what I liked about it was that, for Imogen, it's not a superficial thing, it's about control.

This kind of poor research really annoys me

Eating disorders are NEVER superficial (if it's superficial, it's not an eating disorder) and it's a myth that they're about control. Believe me, if you suffer an eating disorder, your life spins out of your control. EDs destroy lives and can't be recovered from in a matter of months (or even weeks) - as shown on soaps.

[Katy]

I agree there is no control, that is why it is so serious.

Not great research, It is a very sensitive subject and should be tackled with care

[Perdita]

Neighbours bosses agreed to tackle the issue of eating disorders after cast member Eve Morey suggested the idea, it has been revealed.

Ramsay Street newcomer Imogen Willis (Ariel Kaplan) is shown to be struggling with bulimia in a new storyline which has already begun on screen in Australia.

Further down the line, Morey's character Sonya Rebecchi will also notice a guest teenager's unhealthy obsession with exercise and dieting.

Morey encouraged the Neighbours team to shed light on the topic of eating disorders based on her own struggle with body image.

She commented: "I have yet to meet a woman that hasn't at some point in her life experienced an unhealthy attitude towards her body and this truly alarms me.

"I've had my share of body image related issues, and as a teenager it was difficult for me to find someone in the media that looked like me, and I'm still shocked by the amount of positive validation I received for my 'shrinkage' since it took not really eating to get there."

Morey recently spoke at a gathering of high school students about her experiences, and is hoping to encourage young people to consider why they value certain body images.

She added: "If the answer lies in health and wellbeing, that's wonderful but if the answer lies in a sense of validation or self-worth, they need to find an acceptance in themselves that lies beyond the physical."

After taking on board Morey's suggestions, Neighbours chiefs consulted with The Butterfly Foundation, which offers support to Australians experiencing eating disorders.

Executive producer Richard Jasek said: "Neighbours has tackled this topic in different forms over its many years on air, however it's unfortunately an issue that is still extremely prevalent and needs to be continually addressed. I commend Eve for pushing forward with the idea and also sharing her experience."

[Perdita]

Neighbours teen Imogen Willis collapses later this month as her personal problems intensify.

The stressed-out schoolgirl has been secretly struggling with an eating disorder in recent weeks, behaving dangerously when it comes to food as she desperately wants to feel in control of something in her life.

Imogen (Ariel Kaplan) has felt underappreciated by her family for quite some time. However, this will soon be the least of her worries when bad boy Robbo Slade is knocked down in a hit and run - and police believe that her car was used in the attack.

Although Imogen tries her best to answer police questions as best she can, she panics when she hears that detectives want to speak to her for a second time.

The pressure of the situation is clearly growing on Imogen, and when she gets a disappointing exam result, it all becomes too much. Soon afterwards, her father Brad (Kip Gamblin) finds her collapsed, coughing up blood…

Imogen's eating disorder leads her to collapse.
© Channel 5
Imogen's eating disorder leads her to collapse.


Brad rushes to Imogen.
© Channel 5
Brad rushes to Imogen.


Brad calls for help.
© Channel 5
Brad calls for help.


Brad realises Imogen is very sick.
© Channel 5
Brad realises Imogen is very sick.

Neighbours airs these scenes on Thursday, September 26 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.