Erin Heatheron's depression made her quit modelling.
Erin Heatherton
The 27-year-old model became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010, just two years after first walking for the lingerie giant.
Erin has now revealed that her battle with depression, which was caused by the pressure to lose weight and fit the brand's aesthetic, pushed her to hanging up her VS Angel wings three years ago.
Speaking to TIME magazine about her body image issues, the blonde beauty - who left the underwear brand in 2013 - said: "My last two Victoria's Secret shows, I was told I had to lose weight. I look back, like, 'Really?'
"I was really depressed because I was working so hard and I felt like my body was resisting me."
Erin, who would undergo intense work outs twice a day in preparation for the catwalk, was struggling to shift any more weight and felt she was portraying an unrealistic image to other women and so decided to quit.
She explained: "I got to a point where one night I got home from a workout and I remember staring at my food and thinking maybe I should just not eat.
"I realised I couldn't go out into the world - parading my body and myself in front of all these women who look up to me - and tell them that this is easy and simple and everyone can do this."
Erin previously revealed her depression battle in an emotional post to her followers on Instagram with a sultry photo of herself in fuchsia underwear and a black tank top emblazoned with the logo 'Empowered by Failure', and admitted leaving the modelling world behind has made her very happy.
She captioned the social media upload: "The breakdown to breakthrough moment in my life has allowed me to become the truest version of myself. In my moment of 'failure', I stood in the face of adversity. I was struggling with my body image and the pressures to fulfil the demands of perfectionism upon me. I am not perfect.
"I look back on that moment now, and I embrace it. This feeling I once perceived as "failure" was, in truth, a powerful awakening for me to stand behind my purpose in life. I stepped away from hiding behind a fabricated version of myself. I no longer put actions behind my fears and insecurities. I made a choice to redirect my energy to be a catalyst for change. To create a channel for women to become the truest versions of themselves, along with me. (Stay tuned for more...) In the end, if you aren't being true to yourself, then what the f*** is the point. #rebelwacause #empowerment (sic)"
Erin made her breakthrough appearing in Diane Von Furstenberg's catwalk show in 2006.