Sunday evening, Arrow star Colton Haynes took a different tone on his Instagram account as he addressed how projecting “a curated life” has taken a toll on his mental health.
The post, which he labeled ‘Throwback,’ included a collection of selfies from what appear to be past hospital stays. The images are a stark contrast from his Instagram’s usual fare of frolicsome, sunlit beach moments and model-perfect photos.
And that would be the point.
“I don’t want worrying about if I look hot or not on Instagram to be my legacy,’ penned the 31-year-old. “I don’t want to skirt around the truth to please other people or to gain economic success.”
The former Teen Wolf actor shared with his 6.4 million followers that today he feels “immense joy” when someone shares that his “willingness to open up about depression, anxiety, alcoholism, & addiction has helped them in some way.”
He added that he had achieved six months of sobriety at the time.
In his recent Instagram post, he admits that while he’s “struggled the past year” with trying to “find his voice,” he regards the journey as “the most beautiful struggle I’ve ever had to go through.”
Pointing to his social media accounts, Haynes says he regrets the time he's spent worrying about "what time to post on social media so I can maximize my likes," calling those concerns " a complete waste of why I was put on this earth."
The point of the hospital photos, which he says were taken a year ago, is to “let y’all in on my truth.”
Reflecting on what he describes as “dark” times, he offers candidly, “I’m a human being with flaws like you.”
He closes the note with a word of encouragement to his fans: “If ur in the middle of the dark times…I promise you it doesn’t have to last forever.”
You can read the full Instagram post from Haynes below.
The practice of chasing 'Likes' on Instagram has become an issue of late as Facebook (which owns Instagram) recently announced the platform is currently running a test in seven countries where 'Likes' will no longer be visible to followers.
Instagram says it wants viewers to "focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get.”
Several days ago, I reported on a post by Instagrammer Jeremy Cormier which pictured himself with his friend/“beach bro," former quisling Republican Congressman Aaron Schock.
As many know by now, Schock resigned from office in 2015 amid scandal regarding allegations of misusing campaign funds for personal use.
While in office, the Illinois Republican, who was long-rumored to be in the closet, voted against LGBTQ rights such as supporting a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and voting against the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
Schock disappeared from the public eye for some time but resurfaced this spring hanging out with shirtless gay men at the Coachella Music Festival. Photos and video also came to light showing Schock making out with a young man while working his hands down the guy’s pants.
There’s more, but you get the gist. In other words, it appears the 'rumors' were true.
Last week, Cormier a photo of the two on the beach with their impressive abs on full display, and the ‘influencer’ made a point to tag Schock (apparently they are “beach bros”) in the post.
Now, considering Cormier spends a great deal of time on social media (at least his abs do), he had to know there would be a response about his newly-announced “beach bro.”
And there most definitely were.
Comments on that post and subsequent posts asked Cormier his thoughts on Schock’s anti-LGBTQ voting record and how, as a proud gay, he could consort with the former lawmaker.
Instinctreached out to Cormier at the time via the email address shown in his Instagram account to ask his “side” of the story. To date, we haven’t received a reply.
Cormier has now responded via his Instagram account.
In the new post, he acknowledges the “attention” the post received and the questions raised by some followers.
First up, he makes a point to clear the about the label of ‘influencer,’ saying he never claimed that title. But he assures readers that “if he were to try and influence anyone it would be to do something good.”
Cormier shares that he and Mr. Schock became friends at some point this year, but stresses he has never “shared or supported” the former congressman’s views he ‘espoused’ while in office.
The Instagrammer adds that to know Schock “is to know someone who’s viewpoint has grown and changed significantly in the last decade.”
Cormier contends that in order to “affect change open communication among those with differing views is essential.”
“The support our community enjoys can only grow when we reach out to those who don’t share our viewpoint,” he adds.
This is where I’ll point out (again) that here at Instinct we did reach out to Mr. Cormier and received no response. Not exactly the ‘open communication’ he seems to be espousing.
Turning the corner (or perhaps deflecting the issue at hand), Cormier then asks readers to donate to The Victory Fund, which works to help elect openly LGBTQ candidates to public office. He shares that he has already made a $500 donation himself.
Cormier goes on to say that in the days since he posted his photo tagging Schock, he has “experienced bullying and personal hatred” that he wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“That behavior can never be justified even when it’s directed toward those who don’t support us,” he adds. Cormier continues saying he encourages “everyone to fight against hatred and bullying wherever it exists.”
And in that spirit, he also announces he’s made a donation to The Trevor Project, the leading national organization that helps young LGBTQ people in crisis and offers counseling for those considering suicide.
Cormier draws his statement to a close stating he is not “perfect.”
“I am a normal, flawed individual and have never claimed otherwise,” says Cormier. “But what I do know is hate is toxic and it perpetuates - it is good for no one. I recognize this is only a small effort but let’s do something good together.”
Now, I appreciate the tenor and tone of the post.
But I feel Cormier misses both the point and an opportunity here. And, it feels a bit like he’s playing the victim card here.
After blithely posting a photo with someone who literally worked AGAINST the good of the LGBTQ community, with a caption of ‘beach bros,’ Cormier seems taken aback that anyone noticed or had a reaction.
In one sentence he shares that Schock has “grown and changed significantly.” But neither he nor Schock have addressed HOW he has changed.
The intrepid Instagrammer says open communication is key to effect change, but he doesn’t say if HIS conversations with the former congressman have been, in any way, to affect that change.
After months of LGBTQ media noting these episodes and wondering, “Has he changed? Did he have some sort of epiphany?”, Schock remains silent.
For Schock’s part, he can easily sit down with a member of the LGBTQ media and openly discuss the journey to ‘here.’
Everyone comes out in their own time. Absolutely.
But folks don’t get to vote against their own marginalized community, then enjoy the benefits of that community that fought long and hard for its own rights while simultaneously playing the victim.
In a single interview, Schock can clear the air.
Hey, Aaron - call me. I promise to quote you in full; no ‘out-of-context’ action whatsoever.
Some folks may wonder why the LGBTQ media won't let this go. Since this is my blog, let me put this in personal terms.
I didn't meet my father-in-law for 17 years. Early on it was made clear he was uncomfortable with his son being gay. And, with my husband's family living on the other side of the country, I was never invited to come to visit or get to know him.
Fine. I understood parents have to come to terms with a son's coming out. So, it was what it was.
Finally, though, there came a time where we were all going to be in the same place at the same time - attending a concert by one of my husband's client. By then, the dad was "used to" the idea of his son being married to a man, but it just wasn't discussed.
With an impending face-to-face meeting on the horizon, my father-in-law told my hubby, "Fine, we'll just meet at the concert."
Now, after that time, I didn't hold a grudge. But, the one thing I put my foot down about was I would not let 17 years of being ignored as a member of the family be swept away by a quick "Hi, nice to meet you" as the lights went down in a theater.
I insisted my hubby, his parents and I sit down for a meal the night before and actually get to know each other.
That's what happened. It healed a LOT. Today, we are all fine and family.
In saying that, my point is: if Aaron Schock would reach out to the community he helped harm, and have the "open communication" Cormier espouses, I think many would feel somewhat easier about moving on from Schock and his past.
Regarding Cormier, I understand he would feel the need to say ’something’ about the controversial post.
Queer Eye stars Jonathan Van Ness & Antoni Porowski (via Instagram)
Fans of the Netflix ‘make better’ series, Queer Eye, had a social media meltdown when two of the show’s stars, avocado-loving foodie Antoni Porowski and mustachioed grooming guy Jonathan Van Ness, posted a photo on Antoni’s Instagram account of the two just about to engage in a hot and heavy make-out session.
Accompanying the photo was the caption, “I guess Amurica’s birthday’s our anniversary, babe,” complete with heart emoji.
Over 700,000 fans ‘liked’ the post and 1,100+ commented with an array of rainbow and heart emojis.
One fan offered to be the flower girl at the boys’ wedding.
Another penned a voyeuristic, “I would watch.”
Some commenters, though, warned that if the July 4 announcement was not on the up-and-up, they would be done with the duo.
Wrote one fan, “If this is fake, I’m literally never French tucking again.”
Well,…
Today, Van Ness fessed up, taking to HIS Instagram to calm fans down, saying, “It was all Antoni’s idea [pride flag emoji], but maybe someday we will fall in love.”
He added a hashtag that read, “not a couple but it was fun right”
I often (not always) feature photos from my favorite InstaHunks at the top of my News Round-Ups as a cute way to start out the post; and as it gets shared on social media, offer a bit of enticement for folks to hit the link and read the news items.
I really do want you to read the news items, folks :)
But a recent article from NBC Out delves into how social media, particularly Instagram, might be contributing to eating disorders as the popular accounts on the platform constantly offer ripped, hot guys.
Approximately 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives, according to the National Eating Disorder Association. The organization found gay men struggle disproportionately with body image issues and eating disorders: Though they are thought to make up only 5 percent of the national male population, gay men account for 42 percent of men who report having an eating disorder.
Asher Pandjiris is a therapist in New York City who treats LGBTQ people with eating disorders and was also a program director at an eating disorder center. She said high rates of disordered eating in the LGBTQ community are often reactions to the homophobia internalized in youth.
“Queer people often try and prove heteronormativity by having a muscled or thin body,” Pandjiris said. “But it’s almost more insidious that the queer community polices or generates these unattainable standards.”
And research has indeed shown that high frequency of social media usage — particularly image-centric platforms like Instagram — corresponds to body image concerns and eating disorder symptoms in gay men.
The article contrasts a recent post by Grammy Award winner Sam Smith (which I featured here on The Randy Report) with posts by Instagram celeb Max Emerson, who usually appears in some state of nakedness like swim suits or underwear.
I know advertising images have been known to make people feel 'less than' so it makes sense that people open to negative body issues could be affected by comparing themselves to these IG accounts.
I've never been critical of myself in checking out the InstaHunks, but, I can see how some might.
I've always seen the photos as inspiration to get my butt to the gym so I can be a 'better' me.
Social media has recently embraced a trend of posting side-by-side pictures of yourself in 2009 (or thereabouts) and in 2019, to show the world how life has treated you over the years.
I thought I'd do a round-up of notable LGBTQs, Instagram faves and more who have been taking part in the “How hard did aging hit you?” challenge, aka the “10 Year Challenge.”
Maybe it’s me, but I think most folks look way better with the additional decade than before.
Some of the posts have been humorous, and many definitely inspiring.
Scrolling through the side-by-side pics, there are folks who have seriously age-defying DNA (or very good at FaceTune), and some are literally different people.
Maybe you love it, maybe you hate it? Let’s take a look.
Eliad Cohen looked great in swim suit ten years ago, but the “Papa Party” prez is just that much hotter today.
And then there’s superstar Mariah Carey, who admits she really doesn’t get the point of the ten year challenge. Writes Mimi, “Time is not something I acknowledge.”
