Acclaimed actor Jonathan Bailey has movingly described feeling 'really scared and alone' while growing up gay at school, using a major promotional platform to spotlight the vital work of an LGBT+ youth charity.
A Platform for Change
While promoting the new film Wicked: For Good, Bailey, who plays the Winkie Prince Fiyero, donated one of his coveted interview slots exclusively to Sky News. He chose to discuss his role as a patron for Just Like Us, the charity dedicated to supporting LGBT+ young people within the UK education system.
The actor reflected on his own schooldays, stating, 'I felt scared and I felt alone and I felt entirely limited at various points in my life.' He explained that his identity felt like something that was 'not safe and it wasn't celebrated.' Bailey believes direct support in schools, of the kind Just Like Us provides, is something he would have 'really benefited from when I was young.'
The Stark Reality in UK Schools
The actor's personal testimony is backed by sobering data. Surveys conducted by Just Like Us, involving thousands of pupils across the UK, reveal a distressing picture. They found that LGBT+ participants aged 11 to 18 are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and to be subjected to bullying.
Perhaps most alarming is the statistic that only half of these young people feel safe at school on a daily basis. 'I experienced all of that,' Bailey confirmed, connecting his past to the present-day challenges many still face.
Breaking Stereotypes and Facing Backlash
Bailey's successful career, including his roles as Lord Anthony in the global phenomenon Bridgerton and a romantic lead in Wicked, challenges an outdated industry stereotype. Historically, being an openly gay actor was considered a significant career risk, particularly for those playing heterosexual romantic leads.
However, this progress is not without its detractors. The actor addressed the 'warning' issued by the conservative group One Million Moms, which criticised the Wicked films for 'normalising the LGBTQ lifestyle' and called for a boycott.
Bailey's response was resolute, choosing to focus on the positive impact. 'I don't even acknowledge... the thing that's important to me is how do I chat to little Johnny in all this,' he said. 'I'm thrilled to be living in a time where I can play the Winkie Prince and where Just Like Us is doing the extraordinary work that they're doing.'
He also highlighted that the Wicked cast includes several openly LGBT+ actors, such as Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and Colman Domingo, who joins the sequel as the voice of the Cowardly Lion.
Challenges and a Call for Support
The mission of charities like Just Like Us is set against a backdrop of tightening school budgets. The organisation has made its talks free for schools in response to the 'spiralling costs' and intense pressure on teachers' time and resources.
When asked if the government should be doing more, Bailey, whose sister is a teacher in the state system, spoke from personal insight. 'The resources are being crunched, and the problem is that it will be the arts and it will be really important conversations... that are going to go, and that's just really sad.'
While declining to propose specific political solutions, the actor affirmed his commitment to 'do my bit,' using his platform to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive environment for the next generation.
