GK Barry: I’m Finally Ready To Tell My Story

GK Barry became one of the internet’s biggest personalities, but this conversation reveals the Grace Keeling behind the fame, the jokes and the confidence. She reflects on being bullied at school, feeling desperate to fit in, and learning to make people laugh before anyone could laugh at her. Grace opens up about her relationship with her body, becoming obsessed with being thin, and how the attention that came with changing her appearance reinforced everything she believed about herself. She also speaks about witnessing racism through her dad Andrew, discovering her sexuality, and falling in love with Ella Rutherford - from the fear of letting people know to finding a relationship where she finally feels accepted for who she is. For the first time, Grace shares an experience from when she was 17 involving a 27-year-old man, and the years of confusion and self-blame that followed. She explains why she didn't report what happened at the time, the advice she was given by police, and how it took her years to understand what had happened to her and recognise that it wasn't her fault. Funny, honest and deeply vulnerable, this is GK Barry ready to tell her story. GK Barry, We Need To Talk Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and disordered eating. We have included links to support charities and resources here: The Rape Crisis England & Wales 24/7 Support Line is available day and night on 0808 500 2222, with free online chat also available on their website https://linkly.link/2sHpO Beat Eating Disorders https://linkly.link/2sHpG MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow GK Barry here: https://www.instagram.com/gkbarry_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gkbarry Buy Grace’s Book - It's Giving Life: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving: https://linkly.link/2sHqS

(00:00) Intro

(01:37) How Paul and Grace First Met

(03:37) Grace vs GK Barry: What's the Difference?

(06:53) Why Grace Wanted to Come on We Need To Talk

(10:04) Growing Up Outside the UK

(15:15) Stepdad's Impact on Grace's Life

(18:38) Moving Back to the UK as a Child

(26:10) Shopify Ad

(27:23) Not Fitting In At School

(44:41) Struggles With Appearance

(52:45) Career Ambitions After Leaving School

(57:06) Paul Surprises Grace With A Letter

(01:07:23) The GK Barry Persona

(01:10:06) How Grace Monetised Her Social Media Success

(01:15:05) Grace's Rise From TikTok to Television

(01:21:48) Huel Ad

(01:22:55) Grace on Writing Her First Book

(01:25:14) Grace Opens Up About Her Experience of Sexual Assault

(01:37:47) When Grace Realised She Was Attracted to Women

(01:42:16) How Grace and Ella Met

(01:46:54) Why Grace and Ella's Relationship Works

(01:52:43) Grace Reads a Letter From Ella

(01:57:17) Grace's Love of Prosecco

(01:59:48) Most Memorable Conversation

(02:02:15) Paul's Takeaways

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