Greek actress Vasia Panagopoulou has revealed she lost 25 kilograms for health reasons and dyed her hair blonde for her new television role. Panagopoulou returns to the screen as Korina in the upcoming SKAI network drama series Mple Ores, displaying a transformed appearance for the new character.
The decision to reduce her weight was taken as a preventive health measure rather than through strict dietary regimes. Panagopoulou explained that she consulted an endocrinologist and followed the recommended medical treatment, stating that she does not believe in rigid diet plans.
In an interview with OK! magazine, Panagopoulou said weight gain stems from a combination of factors ranging from nutritional to psychological issues, adding that people must act once they recognise the problem. She emphasised that she undertook the weight loss for herself, noting that improving one's physical appearance also boosts mood and overall wellbeing.
Her weight loss effort began during the filming of the television series I gi tis elias. An accident several months later reinforced the wisdom of her decision when she broke her leg. Panagopoulou recalled thinking with horror about how she would have managed her recovery if she had still been carrying the extra 25 kilograms on a broken leg.
New hairstyle for television role
Beyond the health benefits, Panagopoulou also modified her hairstyle specifically for the new production following a suggestion from screenwriter Vana Dimitriou. Panagopoulou admitted that she had never been blonde before, but she received the idea calmly and agreed to try the change if the technical aspects allowed it.
Panagopoulou compared her current image shift to a previous adaptation earlier in her career, when she altered her appearance for a role in the ANT1 television series Epithymies. She explained that in an actor's preparation, external appearance must fit alongside the internal approach to a character, making the updated look suitable for her role as Korina in Mple Ores.
Vasia Panagopoulou is a prominent Greek actress with an extensive career across Greek television and theatre. Her new show Mple Ores will air on SKAI, one of Greece's major national commercial television networks, while ANT1 is another leading Greek broadcaster and I gi tis elias is a widely watched daily drama series.
