To mark Anti-Bullying (11th - 15th November) our literary editor, Claudia, took a look at the impact of bullying on some of the most famous
celebrities on the planet.
One out of every five students report having been bullied in their lives. That is 20.2% of students aged between 12 and 18. Bullying is a deep and lasting wound that changes people’s lives every year and most of the time it goes unnoticed, dismissed and misunderstood. A lot of victims of bullying are afraid of stepping up and telling their stories, so here are ten celebrities who have shared experiences of bullying:
Lady Gaga: The singer has shared a heartbreaking and inspiring experience of bullying. As a teenager, she faced intense bullying; Classmates ridiculed her for her appearance, her love for music and her theatrical personality. She’s shared how she was thrown into a trash can by her peers and the effects this had on her. As she pursued her music career she became an advocate for kindness, mental health and anti-bullying efforts while she founded the Born This Way Foundation with her mother.
Taylor Swift: As a middle schooler, Taylor Swift faced exclusion and verbal bullying from a lot of her classmates. She often felt like an outsider being bullied for her love for country music and her fashion sense - she was ostracised by a group of girls who made her feel unwelcome. As a result, she began writing music as an outlet. Since this, she has used her platform to encourage individuality and kindness.
Eminem: The renowned rapper was bullied throughout his whole childhood; he was targeted because of his appearance, quiet demeanour and struggles fitting in with other kids. In one instance, he was beat up so severely Eminem was hospitalised with a concussion, which marked his early childhood for the rest of his life.
Emma Watson: After gaining a lot of fame at a young age, the actress became a target for both classmates and the media. She faced exclusion and teasing from classmates who saw her success as something to minimise and mock rather than celebrate. She was left with a feeling of isolation despite being at a growing point in her career.
Rihanna: She faced ridicule and teasing from her classmates, particularly about her appearance that set her apart from the rest of her peers. She’s opened up on how the teasing made her feel isolated and self-conscious but despite the hurtful words she
channeled her pain into performing and music.
Ed Sheeran: During middle school and high school, Ed endured verbal bullying and humiliation for his appearance and quirks; his bright red hair, glasses and stutter. He used his passion for music to overcome his speech difficulties and confidence issues that the bullying had left on him and now advocated for kindness and self acceptance.
Winona Ryder: The Oscar winning, beloved actress suffered severe bullying for her distinctive style, haircut and love for acting. She often recalls how classmates physically attacked her, pushing her into lockers and beating her up while making fun of her appearance. This led to Winona dropping out of school and finishing her education in a different setting.
Chris Rock: During his early childhood, he attended a predominantly white school. As one of the few Black students in his class, he faced racial bullying and harassment. The bullying ranged from verbal taunting to physical violence that tormented him and harmed him psychologically. The constant bullying also led to Chris dropping out of high school.
Zendaya: As a young girl, Zendaya was teased by her classmates for being taller than most of the girls in her school, being called names like ‘giraffe’. She was bullied for her physical appearance: her race and natural hair texture made people believe she wouldn’t fit into an industry that valued conformity.
10. Justin Bieber: Finally, the global sensation also struggled with bullying as a young child rising into fame. He was made fun of for his love of music and for not fitting into the ‘cool’ stereotypes. This was compounded by cyber bullying from the media which took a toll
on his mental health.
Most of these people have become household names, influential figures that motivate and inspire young people around the world. A common factor in all these people is their love and passion for something and yet they were bullied and humiliated for their individuality or physical appearance. The impacts of bullying are not a joke, making all of these familiar names a testament to the importance of kindness and compassion.
By Claudia L, Year 11
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