Emily Osment’s fake pregnancy on Young Sheldon brought a few unexpected challenges, proving that the experience was not all sunshine and rainbows.
Jessica Radloff’s new book, Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy, reveals that stepping into the character’s shoes was not without physical difficulties.
In an excerpt shared by USA Today, Emily, who played mom-to-be Mandy McAllister, described wearing a fake pregnancy bump as “the hardest part” of her role.
“That was tough. It was twelve and a half pounds of silicone. They tried out a couple of ‘em, and the ones that look the most real are the ones that make you walk funny so you can really pull it off,” she shared.
The actress who joined the show in its fifth season recalled that she “cracked a rib” from wearing the prosthetic for prolonged periods, prompting a hospital visit after she experienced intense pain in her side.
“The nurses were like, ‘Has anything changed in your life recently?’ I was like, ‘Well, I’m pretending to be pregnant for my job and I’m wearing something really heavy, and they’re like, ‘That makes sense,'” Emily said.
The Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage star noted that there was little she could do to treat the injury, saying, “There’s not really much you can do for a rib,” so she sat down whenever possible between takes.