Actor Ellie Bamber, who stars as the iconic supermodel in the film Moss & Freud, utilized a combination of strength training and a non-restrictive nutrition plan to recreate the physique of Kate Moss. Working with film and TV personal trainer Luke Worthington, Bamber aimed to achieve a startling likeness
to the model’s 1990s-era appearance while prioritizing her own health.
Physical Transformation and Training
Bamber and Worthington began their collaboration in January 2022, shifting focus specifically to film preparation in December of that year. While the production expected to shoot in summer 2023, filming was postponed until spring/summer 2024, meaning the process ultimately took years due to delays. According to Businessinsider, the duo had to manage a fractured ankle during the process; Bamber attended the gym on crutches with a boot, while Worthington implemented modified exercises to target the rest of her body alongside visits to a physio.
Strength training served as a critical component of the regimen to help Bamber maintain muscle mass while sculpting her body through a gentle calorie deficit. This physical preparation was particularly important because Bamber is nude frequently in the film, and she expressed a desire to feel “really in tune” with her body and confident during those scenes.
Nutrition Strategy Without Calorie Counting
To avoid a restrictive diet, Bamber opted against calorie-counting or weighing herself, noting that she still wanted to be able to enjoy pasta and dinner with friends. Instead, Worthington and Bamber used photos to track progress and aimed for a calorie deficit of no more than 10% without strict tracking. Worthington suggested using her hands to loosely measure portion sizes.
The nutrition strategy focused on adding, rather than subtracting,
with the following components:
- Cruciferous Vegetables: For most of the preparation, Bamber attempted to eat six portions of vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli daily to fill up on high-volume, low-calorie nutrients.
- Breakfast Smoothies: Her morning routine often included a smoothie containing fruit, greens, protein, and flax seeds.
Embodying the Icon
Beyond the physical transformation, the 29-year-old actor undertook extensive research to embody the cultural icon. This included studying Moss’s voice and mannerisms through every available video and practicing her walk on a runway set up in a church gymnasium. Bamber also worked with movement coach Polly Bennett and vocal coach Louise Jones to master the signature Croydon accent
and a specific “rasp” in her voice.
Bamber’s preparation also involved practicing the specific positions Moss assumed for the artist Lucian Freud. The film focuses on the period between 2001 and 2002, when Moss sat nude for Freud three nights a week over nine months, including during her pregnancy with her daughter, Lila. This series of sittings resulted in the oil painting Naked Portrait 2002, which sold at Christie’s for £3.9 million in 2005.
Collaborations and Authenticity
Bamber’s portrayal was supported by authentic wardrobe pieces from Moss’s own archive, provided by James Brown. These included a vintage blue sequined dress worn to Moss’s 30th birthday party and a John Galliano Union Jack blazer.
The actor also developed a personal connection with Moss, meeting her at a party hosted by Jasper Conran and his partner Oisin Byrne. According to Vogue, Moss was present on set on the first day of shooting and encouraged Bamber to break rules, such as smoking in her dressing room. Bamber admitted that after smoking extensively for the film, she picked up the habit in her real life.
Worth a look
