Tyler Oakley opens up: ‘I don’t think eating disorders ever really go away’
Tyler Oakley has opened up about his body image struggle in a new interview.
The YouTube star has more than eight million followers on YouTube, seven million on Instagram, and has been filmed hanging out with the likes of Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
But he says the fame and success hasn’t got rid of his body mage challenges – still struggling with taking his clothes off around other people.
He told Attitude magazine: “I don’t think eating disorders ever really go away, it’s just something you learn to deal with better.
“When you’re at the gym and you see the person next to you lifting and then you look at yourself, or when you get into a hot tub with friends, or you’re getting intimate with a partner, certain things creep back into how you think.
“And just because it’s not a part of your every-day, every-minute thing any more, it doesn’t mean it’s gone. It’s not really something I talk about. I guess I should.”
He appears on the cover of this month’s edition – themed ‘taking on Trump’ – alongside stars Todrick Hall and Joanne the Scammer.
The famously upbeat entertainer said he’s fearful, however, for what the new American president will do.
He said: “There are a lot of reasons to be afraid. Whether it’s human rights, climate change, the rights of immigrants or refugees.
“I think: turn your very understandable, valid fear into something. Acknowledge the fear, accept it and use it to push yourself to change things for the better.
“Even if that’s in your tiny little village, change starts there. Show up to your town halls.
“Hearing about local issues, how we can get involved is important. Showing up to vote — even locally — is important. I think those things are where you should channel your fear and take charge.”
He previously spoke out about Trump’s presidency, nailing while people should be anxious.
The new issues of Attitude magazine is out now in shops and online.
