The accumulation of anthocyanins is a well-known response to abiotic stresses in many plant species. However, knowledge about the effects of excessive anthocyanin accumulation on light absorbance and photosynthesis is limited. Here, we addressed this question using a promoter replacement line of tomato constitutively expressing a MYB transcription factor (ANTHOCYANIN1, ANT1) that leads to anthocyanin accumulation. The genetic engineered ANT1 plants displayed traits associated with shade avoidance response: thinner leaves, lower seed germination rate, suppressed side branching, increased chlorophyll concentration, and lower photosynthesis rates than the wild type. Moreover, anthocyanin-rich leaves exhibited higher absorbance of light in the blue and red ends of the spectrum, while the increase in leaf energy dissipation and higher anthocyanin content in leaves provided photoprotection to high irradiance. Furthermore, analysis of key genes expression and primary metabolites content showed that anthocyanin accumulation produces a reconfiguration of both networks that is consistent, but not identical to the one described for the shade avoidance response. Our study provides clues about how anthocyanins accumulation affects the trade-off between photoprotection and growth.