Georgia McCann is on the road to recovery.
The Next Gen NYC star is getting candid for the first time about a decade-long eating disorder battle, which began in middle school as what she calls a "maladaptive coping mechanism."
"A lot of people struggle with body dysmorphia, but in my case, it was always centered around control," McCann told People in an interview published Aug. 29. "It started for me around eighth grade; there were things going on in my home life, things happening with my hormones, I felt depressed. What was happening to me was unmanageable, and this was a way to take control of something during a time where I couldn't control anything else."
McCann said she would have "flare-ups" every year in which she'd use restrictive eating and purging to control her food intake.
"There was no one method of control, it was the whole gamut," she said. "Most recently, I just wasn't eating at all. And in a weird way, I mentally trained my mind and my body to be repulsed by food, which made it easier to not eat. And then when I would eat, my stomach had shrunk so much that after five bites, I felt full. So it was sort of this self-fulfilling prophecy."
But after the Bravo series premiered earlier this year, the 24-year-old's eating disorder reached a dangerous new level.
"It was definitely the most severe it's ever been," McCann recounted. "I was battling a lot of depression and anxiety at the same time, and I just had no appetite. I lost 25 pounds in like, two months. I weighed 88 pounds."
In June, she received a "literal wakeup call" when a friend begged her to do something about her deteriorating health.
"She called me crying 'I'm really, really, really scared for you,'" McCann recalled. "She said. 'I don't want you to die.' Because that's when I was the thinnest I'd ever been."
Between her friend's plea and comments from her parents, she decided to finally seek professional help.
"I was tired; tired of hiding, tired of lying," she admitted. "I was always making excuses when people would ask if I was okay. Like, 'I'm fine, I just haven't been hungry!' And I couldn't do it anymore."
And time at a treatment facility gave the reality star the psychological tools to manage her eating disorder.
"I had to learn to love myself; that radical acceptance" McCann said. "And it's really allowed me to reframe my relationship with my body. I'm so proud of where am I today."
Keep reading to get to know the entire Next Gen NYC cast better.
Brooks Marks
Brooks Marks wasn’t born into the spotlight—he walked right into it (in a perfectly tailored tracksuit) when his mom, Meredith Marks, made her debut on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City while he was in college at NYU. Now a fashion entrepreneur, Brooks has big dreams—but his real talent is finding himself in the middle of drama, despite claiming he hates conflict. As he turns 25, Brooks faces a major crossroads: step out from under his mom’s shadow, or keep playing referee between family demands, messy friendships and a never-ending to-do list. Can he finally put himself first or will his signature poker face crack under the pressure?
Georgia McCann
Georgia McCann is New York’s ultimate Gen Z it-girl—bold, brilliant and unapologetically original. A fourth-generation New Yorker, Georgia fiercely defends the city’s artistic soul from developers and finance bros alike. As a brand and events creative strategist, Georgia rules the downtown scene. The city has always been her first love, but this summer a surprising romance and shifting friendships might shake things up, threatening to leave Georgia’s carefully curated world in turmoil.
Emira D'Spain
Emira D'Spain has hustle in her DNA. Born in Dubai and raised in Dallas, she turned her NYU degree and a killer internship into a coveted role as Paper magazine’s beauty director, and now she’s thriving as one of New York’s most successful content creators. Ambitious, driven and always two steps ahead, Emira lives life on her own terms and never apologizes for her success. She usually stays above the fray when drama unfolds, but this summer, balancing romance and friendship loyalties might disrupt her perfectly planned hustle.
Charlie Zakkour
Charlie Zakkour is a crypto trader and private investor who’s been ruling NYC’s club scene since he was 14, and he knows everyone (and their secrets). Charming but blunt, Charlie says exactly what’s on his mind, and sometimes what others wish he wouldn’t. Beneath his tough exterior, he’s fiercely loyal, especially to close confidants. For the first summer in years, Charlie finds himself basking in his autonomy, but he might find being unattached creates more drama than ever.
Riley Burruss
Riley Burruss may have music legend and The Real Housewives of Atlanta veteran Kandi Burruss as a mom, but she’s determined to make her mark on her own terms. Riley hustled through her NYU years, snagging every high-profile internship in sight. Level-headed and totally unfazed, she says exactly what she’s thinking, which makes her the go-to for people who can handle the truth. Now she has one year to discover her true passion (or it’s off to law school and a 9-to-5 life) and with childhood friend Ariana Biermann suddenly back in her orbit, things are about to get a lot more dramatic. Can Riley figure it all out or is growing up about to serve her a major reality check?
Gia GIudice
Gia Giudice might be Jersey royalty thanks to her mom, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice, but she’s determined to build a legacy all her own. Fresh out of college and with law school on pause, Gia is juggling schedules to see her long-term boyfriend and hustling nonstop between New Jersey and Manhattan. Gia’s survived a lifetime of family drama in the public eye, making her fiercely protective of family and friendships. But while Gia has plenty of drive, the actual drive into the city might just push her over the edge. Despite Gia’s ambitious and loyal nature, the pull of Manhattan might shift her priorities.
Hudson McLeroy
Hudson McLeroy comes from an Atlanta family known for massive self-made success, and he’s already had early success on his own as an investor. Now he’s heading straight into the hustle of New York City, all in the name of love. He and Ariana Biermann have been on-again, off-again sweethearts since junior high, and while they might seem like a match made in heaven, navigating Manhattan’s social scene can be taxing on any relationship. Hudson’s got charm, ambition and a Southern gentleman’s manners, but can he handle this circle of friends (and frenemies) or is fitting in about to become his riskiest investment yet?
Shai Fruchter
Shai Fruchter has spent his whole life adapting—from growing up between Israel and China to transplanting into a suburban New Jersey high school. Now after a year in Manhattan’s eclectic East Village, he’s finally free to explore creativity, romance and the endless pursuit of authenticity, but joining this circle of bold, connected, and ambitious friends might be more than he bargained for.
Ariana Biermann
Ariana Biermann is the first in her family to leave Atlanta and step out on her own—no safety net, no family backup, just high-school sweetheart Hudson, a dream of launching a streetwear line, and a one-way ticket to New York City. Growing up with mom Kim Zolciak-Biermann on The Real Housewives of Atlanta taught her how to navigate chaos, keep her circle tight and always stand up for what’s right. Can she build a life on her own terms or is she about to learn that Southern loyalty doesn’t always translate in the big city?
Ava Dash
Ava Dash has always had that it factor. The daughter of music mogul Damon Dash and fashion icon Rachel Roy, Ava was surrounded by legends from day one, but she’s never needed a famous last name to turn heads. Cool, calm and effortlessly collected, Ava is the girl every guy wants to date and every girl wants to be. She grew up in Tribeca and after years in L.A., is now back in the city, pursuing modeling full-time. With a new guy in the picture and fresh faces entering the circle, Ava’s effortless reign as the group’s most-wanted might not be so effortless after all.
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family)