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Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has returned to Instagram after a six-week absence to reveal that – like so many of us during the COVID-19 outbreak – he’s been going through some challenging times.
Previously a regular user of social media, Kenworthy, 28, has been quiet since early March. A lengthy posting yesterday revealed the reasons why.
“I know I’ve been MIA for the past month and a half but tbh this whole thing has been really hard on me,” he began.
“I know has been a struggle for most everyone. One thing I’ve learned is that just because we’re in isolation it does NOT mean that we’re alone. We really are in this together! If you’re struggling w/ depression and you’ve been feeling down and worthless know that I have been too,” he says.
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“In school, in sports and in life I’ve always hated asking for help because I’ve wanted to seem strong, brave, tough, self-assured, etc but I’ve realized that sometimes you just need help and when you do you need to ask for it. It’s literally what friends are for.
“Swallow your pride and text a friend saying ‘I’m feeling really down, can you talk?’ It will help,” Kenworthy said.
“I’m thankful for my friends and all of you for being my support system; I’m thankful for the people who have used this time to create fun, funny content that has made me laugh and offered levity amidst the darkness; I’m thankful for my health and, most especially, I’m thankful for my family.”
Related: Gus Kenworthy teams up with disabled teen to win unique contest
Kenworthy then went on to say that his own family has been affected by some significant health issues.
“We had some serious scares this past month and it’s put into perspective, more than ever before, the importance of family. My 9-month-old nephew, Bodhi, had a bad cough/ fever and started having trouble breathing. He ended up being flight for life’d to Denver Children’s Hospital to be put on a respirator and spent a week in the ICU.
“Shortly after he returned home my 4-year-old niece, Bobbie, fell ill and had to be rushed to the same hospital to undergo two emergency surgeries. They’re both finally home again and recovering!”
Kenworthy goes on to say these recent experiences, along with the ongoing pandemic, have prompted him to do more to help our frontline workers.
“I’m incredibly thankful and forever grateful to our healthcare workers on the front line of this pandemic. I can’t show my gratitude enough but, in an effort to help out, I’ve decided to join Cameo to make personalized videos for anybody who wants one w/ 100% of my proceeds going to #FirstRespondersFirst to raise money for the doctors & nurses risking their lives to save others. If you wanna buy a video there’s a link in my bio and I’ll match whatever we raise up to $10,000!
“Thank you all for staying home to help flatten the curve and also for reading my unsolicited novel of a caption. Let’s #BeatTheVirus”
Cameo is a platform where celebrities and influencers record a personalized video message for fans for a fee. Kenworthy is selling his messages for $150 each, with everything he raises going to healthcare workers. You can check out some of his videos on his Cameo page.
Kenworthy’s post prompted thousands of comments, with the vast majority appreciating his message and showing support.
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However, one user posted a comment of disapproval that prompted a response from Kenworthy.
“Telling depressed people to swallow their pride ain’t it. Making already depressed people feel like it’s their fault ain’t it. Sad,” said one of his followers.
Kenworthy responded, “If that’s really what you got out of my caption then you completely missed the mark. As someone who’s been suffering from depression right now I encouraged anybody else struggling with the same thing to reach out to a friend and ask for help.
“In no way did I imply that anybody’s depression is their fault, all I was trying to do was leave a gentle reminder that we’re not alone in this,” Kenworthy continued. “It’s a scary time and we could all probably use some love and support but other people may not know our struggles and so it’s important to ask for help when it’s needed. Anyway, I wish you well, bud. Stay home, stay healthy and maybe stay off my page if you’re going to come for me on a post where I’m opening up about struggling mentally in the hopes of helping others. ❤️”
Kenworthy posted from Los Angeles, where he is presumably in lockdown. His photo showed him with his beloved dog, Birdie, who he rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm during the 2018 Olympics.
Jim
If you had breakfast this morning thank the grocery workers who are keeping you alive and keeping you from starving.
Chrisk
Exactly. I never hear a lick of appreciation for them.
Diplomat-G
@ Chrisk, then you have not been listening or perhaps it’s you who have not shown your appreciation.
RyanMBecker
ChrisK,
CNN and its personalities, as well as our local news here in New York City, acknowledge grocers and other food workers all the time. And I’ve been thanking them everytime I shop.
Troysky
Gus can talk about anything….but I just zone out and lust hard.
frapachino
Not surprised he makes this pandemic all about HIS struggles! I love his passive aggressive attack on the guy who had the unmitigated nerve to point out a valid point to him!
Diplomat-G
Every Village has at least one, so glad you self identified.
D_Bro
Douchebag!
He posted this on his personal Instagram and it was picked up by Queerty. I’m glad he did. A lot of us are struggling with mental health issues and it’s good to know that others are also there and working through it.
It is either:
(a) it’s nice to be as perfect as yourself
or
(b) {my vote} you are so insecure that you have to tear down others who you perceive to have a better life than you do.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
He has been a great role model for other athletes. Being out and proud, especially young kids.
And is nice to see a celebrity giving back in this time of madness. Millions are unemployed and struggling. Yet many celebrities worth multiple millions are selfishly silent….
Josh447
I’ve always valued Gus’s open heart and transparent nature. This is a good solid message that really pierces the veil of monotonous virus chit chat. Unlike those cheesy TV commercials from businesses lamenting about the virus for the sake of dollars through advertising, Gus takes it down to the emotional guts of the matter. And then throws his own cash at helping. Amazing guy. Much loved. Much appreciated. A major feather in our cap.
g-sing
why doesnt he just donate the shit ton of money that he has. why does he have to take money from other people ?
Diplomat-G
Wow are you his financial planner, account or mother? How would you know anything about his finances? Sit down spanky.
D_Bro
How much money does he have? And how do you know?
He is actually very philanthropic. He gives money and time to a lot of charities, particularly HIV/AIDS. In case you missed it he was the top fund raiser for the AIDS Life Cycle this past year. He rode every mile and slept in a tent just like every other rider.
RyanMBecker
Do you really think a gay skier makes a lot of money? How many major commercial endorsements have you seen? I only know of one, a very short-lived commercial for Head and Shoulders. Nor has he had many TV appearances or commentator jobs. So why exactly do you think he has “a shit ton of money” to donate? That $10,000 he has offered to match is more than generous.
Indeed, making it a matching donation effectively doubles the money since it encourages others to contribute. And how is he “tak[ing] money from other people”? First, those people are receiving a product/ service from him — and a unique one at that. Imagine a fan being surprised by such a gift. Second, 100% of the money is given to the cause. He gets nothing.
So what exactly is the downside? What are you complaining about?
D_Bro
@RyanMBecker – Well said!!
RyanMBecker
I usually hate these things, calling them self-promotional ego masturbation. But he’s giving all of the money to the cause. And the sample videos show some very sincere and heartfelt messages. I was so impressed that I’m considering buying three — all to gay nurses that have been going above and beyond here in NYC. With so many gay nurses out there, I’d encourage others to do the same. Imagine the boost in spirit they’d receive. Not to mention feeling all warm and fuzzy knowing that money was donated in their honor.
David Hudson
That’s a really sweet and thoughtful gesture 🙂
BoylesqueBubble
Everyone always complains about him and he’s always doing nice things to raise money. Be it for AIDS, shelter animals, he was a buddy for a kid at the Special Olympics. When is he ever going to do something selfless enough so the dipsh*ts here will quit bagging on him? He didn’t need to take the time and not only raise money for the AIDS Life Cycle, he participated as well.
And still people here despise him. It’s really sad.
Tombear
Gus is a good man! Why do you queens tear him down. Jealous queens!