Many people still have residual feelings of attraction for Wentworth Miller because of Prison Break. My mother is one of them! Post-Prison Break, Wentworth has worked inconsistently (he even considers himself semi-retired), but he’s never really broken out as a big star. It could have been that he never wanted that, and it could have been that he was dealing with his own personal stuff and he wanted to work it out privately. Back in 2013, he came out as a gay man, and later that year, he discussed his suicide attempts and his attempts to “fit in” and pretend to be straight when he was a young boy and man. He seemed (and still seems) like a very well-spoken man. So, what’s new with Wentworth? He just learned that some of his old photos were made into a fat-shaming meme. Here’s the meme:
That photo of Wentworth when he was slightly heavier (he’s not even fat!) is from 2010. Anyway, Wentworth recently saw the meme and he posted a short essay on Facebook about it. I’ve made some minor edits for space.
Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time. This one, however, stands out from the rest. In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I was suicidal. This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about. But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few. Ashamed and in pain, I considered myself damaged goods. And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction. Not for the first time. I’ve struggled with depression since childhood. It’s a battle that’s cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.
In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be. And I put on weight. Big f–king deal.
One day, out for a hike in Los Angeles with a friend, we crossed paths with a film crew shooting a reality show. Unbeknownst to me, paparazzi were circling. They took my picture, and the photos were published alongside images of me from another time in my career. “Hunk To Chunk.” “Fit To Flab.” Etc. My mother has one of those “friends” who’s always the first to bring you bad news. They clipped one of these articles from a popular national magazine and mailed it to her. She called me, concerned. In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed. Long story short, I survived. So do those pictures. I’m glad.
Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle. My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without. Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist. Anyway. Still. Despite. The first time I saw this meme pop up in my social media feed, I have to admit, it hurt to breathe. But as with everything in life, I get to assign meaning. And the meaning I assign to this/my image is Strength. Healing. Forgiveness. Of myself and others.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone. Someone cares. They’re waiting to hear from you. Much love. – W.M. #koalas #inneractivist #prisonbroken
www.afsp.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.activeminds.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.iasp.info
This really broke my heart. And even in today’s society where everyone overshares and everyone talks about their mental health issues openly, it’s rare that a celebrity talks so openly about how low he felt, and the day-to-day drudgery of feeling suicidal, and being in that deep of a depression. It’s even more unique because… well, fat-shaming and body-policing is something that rarely happens with men. And we do hold men to different standards – most of us would have expected Wentworth (or any dude) to simply laugh off body criticism and just take it. But I love that Wentworth turned it into a teachable moment.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
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