How Emma Stone Got Her <i>La La Land</i> Dancer Body
The actress' personal trainer — who's worked with Oscar winners and Victoria's Secret models — shares how he helped the actress prepare for her physically-demanding role
Photo: Getty
Emma Stone
Anyone who has seen La La Land (if you haven't, shame on you) will vouch for the fact Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone can really dance.
With the help of So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Mandy Moore, and endless hours in the studio perfecting their hop shuffles, step-ball-changes and pas de bourrees, the A-list pair successfully mastered the art of tap dance, transforming them into a modern-day Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
However, if you've ever watched a ballet performance or tried, yourself, to hold an arabesque, you'll know you need incredible agility, muscle and mental strength to lift, move and practice the same routine, day after day.
So, how did Emma Stone physically prepare for La La Land?
Enter Hollywood personal trainer, Jason Walsh.
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Having worked with the likes of Matt Damon, Irina Shayk and Jennifer Anniston, Walsh was tasked with building Emma Stone's stamina and energy for the Oscar-nominated film's numerous tap dance numbers and singing performances.
However, as Emma has previously admitted to having a "deep-seated rage" when holding heavy weights above her head, it sounds like Walsh certainly had his work cut out for him.
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Photo: Getty
In an interview with the Sun, Walsh explains his top tips to looking like Emma Stone in La La Land (and not gaining a stone):
THE DEADLIFT IS THE MOST RELIABLE FORM OF EXERCISE FOR ALL ROUND FITNESS
"It is, and always will be, the deadlift and variations of the deadlift. Its a complex movement that incorporates every major muscle group working together. It's very important."
STRENGTH COMES BEFORE CARDIO
"3:1 Cardio is nothing if you don't move well.
"Staying strong supports the skeletal system, stabilizes joints, makes your cardio safer and more effective.
"If strength training is done right, you get plenty of cardio from lifting as well. Cardio comes secondary."
MODERATION REALLY IS KEY
"I do think sugar and the abundance of carbohydrates is the root to most obesity in the US."
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You've never heard of essential sugars and/or carbohydrates, right?!
DON'T BAN CARBS
"Eat breakfast, taper carbohydrates throughout the day, and don't eat late."
LIMIT YOUR SUGAR INTAKE
"I limit all sugars, and I add UDO's Choice Oil to food daily for essential fats.
"That's where I get my energy from, not sugar. You could lose 10 lbs immediately just from cutting out sugar."
If director Damien Chazelle decides to do a La La Land 2 in the future, we'll be ready.
From: Harper's BAZAAR US