‘I thought about ending my life’: Cara Delevingne says internalised homophobia made her suicidal
‘I couldn’t talk to anyone about it,’ recalls the model as her new documentary airs in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cara Delevingne has revealed how struggling with her gender identity when she was growing up left her feeling suicidal.
Speaking in her forthcoming BBC documentary Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, the model and actor, who is gender fluid and bisexual, explained that she couldn’t understand her own identity as a teenager.
“I couldn’t talk to anyone about it,” she says on the documentary. “I had a lot of internalised homophobia and shame. I thought that I was abnormal.”
The 30-year-old continued: “I thought about ending my life, like I had multiple times, and I’m so glad I didn’t because if I can help any other kid that means the world to me.
“It means the world to that little queer kid I was. Or I am.”
Reflecting on the making of the six-part documentary, which premieres in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Thursday 1 December, Delevingne told The BBC: “It has very much changed my life. Now I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I feel really, really proud of what we created.
“I know I shouldn’t feel shame but I truly believe there are souls like me all over the world.”
She added: “I think this opened me up into being ready for it.”
Delevingne explained that she hopes the documentary will open people’s eyes to the reality of questioning your gender identity and help others doing the same feel less alone.
“In the world that I live in, most of my friends are straight,” she said. “I’d never been to Pride before making this show. I have a lot more queer friends now.
“If we can change anyone’s minds to be more willing to accept themselves, or someone else, that’s all I want.”
For confidential 24/7 support in the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments