In the News: ‘Rachel McAdams lied about horse hair allergy to win Malick movie role’

The actress neglected to mention the allergy but it announced itself on set when her eyes swelled up so much she couldn’t see.

According to this story on TheIndyChannel.com,

The Notebook star was so excited about working with the director, she told him she was a big fan of the beasts when he asked if she had a problem working with them – because they’d feature in his movie.

She explains, “I said, ‘I love horses…’ (but) I’m so terrified and allergic.”

The romantic art film, written and directed by Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life), stars McAdams alongside Ben Afflect, Olga Kurylenko and Javier Bardem. The plot centers on an American man who reconnects with a woman from his hometown after his relationship with a European woman falls apart. It is notable for being the last film Roger Ebert reviewed before he passed away earlier this month–Ebert gave it three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Check out the trailer:

The film begins showing in select theaters this weekend.

Rachel isn’t the only celebrity who is allergic to horses–she shares this unfortunate trait with…

• Kate Middleton

• Sandra Bullock

• Clint Eastwood

• Rosie O’Donnell

• Ellen Pompeo

• Gordon Ramsay

All celebrity photos are from Wikimedia Commons.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Bashkir Curlies, a breed of horse known for its curly hair, are hypoallergenic? Most people who are allergic to horses can handle them without suffering any allergic reaction. Research indicates that a protein is missing from the hair of Curlies that may be what causes allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. Learn more at the American Bashkir Curly Horse Registry.

Go Rachel–that’s dedication!