Fast X and Reacher star Alan Ritchson has revealed what happened when he ran into a childhood bully.
The 41-year-old is best known for his roles as Aquaman/ Arthur Curry in superhero series Smallville, playing the titular character in Amazon Prime's Reacher as well as appearing in movies such as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Fast X.
However, before he became a successful actor, Ritchson didn't have an easy ride.
Not only did he briefly live in a pickup truck while he was still at school, but he was also targeted by high school bullies - one of whom he had the misfortune of bumping into recently.
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Ritchson grew up in Niceville - a city in Okaloosa County, Florida - in which he says there was a heavy emphasis on taking part in, and being good at, sports.
"As a kid who was an artist but didn’t know it yet, I had my share of bullying," he tells Wall Street Journal, adding there were 'plenty of mean kids' around when he grew up in the area.
He continues: "Early on, I wasn’t physically built the way I am now, and I loved expressing myself through music, singing and in-line skating.
"Not ideal for a guy in an area where all the dudes wore mullets and pulled up to school in four wheelers."
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And there's one particular incident of being picked on which Ritchson remembers to this day.
The actor reflects he was 'a very late bloomer' and used to 'pray' his legs and armpits would develop hair more quickly.
He recalls: "One day, I was in the high-school cafeteria in my gym shorts when a kid shouted. 'Hey, everybody, Ritchson doesn’t have any hair on his legs!'
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"Everyone laughed. I was mortified."
Earlier this year, Ritchson and his wife and three boys sold their house in Florida - they now live in AirBnBs and hotels while the actor is on set.
However, just before the family upped sticks and left the state, Ritchson ended up bumping into 'one of the guys who teased' him back in high school.
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"He wanted a selfie," Ritchson says. "I was happy to oblige, but it felt strange."
Ritchson notes the guy had seemingly forgotten how he bullied him, but the actor won't ever forget.
He adds: "I still don’t like wearing shorts."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741
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You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Film and TV, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck