Actor Joel Kim Booster feels pressure to keep his body in top shape. The 38-year-old American became famous through series like Shrill and Loot. He also wrote the film Fire Island. His career became strongly connected to his muscular appearance. In an interview with GQ, he admits this pressure still affects him.

What is striking: this pressure doesn't only come from Hollywood. Booster recognises that gay communities also set high physical standards. He feels these expectations from all sides. 'It goes beyond the film industry,' he says. This touches a sensitive topic in the gay scene. Many men struggle with body image and pressure for perfection.

The actor is honest about the price this brings. Constantly adapting your body and staying fit costs energy and money. It limits your freedom and feeds insecurity. Booster thinks it's important to speak openly about this. Success doesn't mean you must train yourself to exhaustion. Even at his age, he feels this pressure. This happens although he is already recognised in his field.