Man Is Harassed in High School for Being Gay. 20 Years Later, He Has a Shocking Interaction with His Bully (Exclusive)

Yahoo

2 days ago

Two decades after being bullied for being gay, he got a message that brought the past full circle and offered something close to healing
Two decades after graduating from high school, Misha Brown received an unexpected message from someone he never thought he'd hear from again: his former bully.
The message wasn't just an apology — it was a deeply personal admission. The man's 15-year-old son had just come out as gay, prompting the father to reflect on how he once treated others.
For the 37-year-old influencer, who came out around the same age as his bully's son, the apology brought a wave of emotion.
'Honestly, when I first saw the message come through, I didn't know what to expect,' Brown tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'I couldn't think of a single reason as to why he'd reach out. But there it was, and I opened it.'
In the message, the man admitted that his first thought after learning his son was gay was hoping the teen would be met with more kindness than he had shown Brown in the past.
Growing up in a tiny town in Western New York, Brown was a bright and expressive boy who stood out from his peers. Obsessed with singing Whitney Houston songs and playing Polly Pockets, he was often bullied — an experience that tainted his adolescent life.
'Being bullied as a child truly shaped the entire experience of growing up. I overanalyzed every part of myself. How was I standing? Was I too loud? Was I safe in my surroundings?' Brown recalls.
'It made me perform, in a way, because the one space I excelled in was as a performer. Acceptance became the only currency I craved, and it made me put a lot of pressure on myself.'
Over the years, Brown has built a multi-hyphenate career across theatre, social media, and podcasting. He is the host of the hit Wondery podcast, The Big Flop, and leverages a loyal following of nearly 4 million across platforms.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
'As my platform has grown, I saw the impact that it can have. I want to be a bridge and try my best to bring people together,' Brown says.
'A lot of people have experienced bullying, feeling like they have been left behind, or don't love themselves, and I use my platform to let them know that they are not broken or alone.'
Parents of queer youth often tell Brown that they share his content with their kids to show them they're strong, worthy, and deserving of a full, authentic life.
His debut book, Be Your Own Bestie, out February 2026, explores Brown's journey and how he came to embrace every part of himself.
While this isn't the first time someone has reached out to apologize or reconnect, this message – from this particular bully – hit differently.
'I've seen a lot of comments on my video where people don't think that I should accept his apology. That having gayness 'happen' to him is not a good enough penance. But that's not who I am. I cried when I read what he wrote to me,' Brown admits.
'I cried for me, the little boy who desperately cried in his mom's arms, begging to not be gay. I cried for his son, who gets to have a dad like mine, who loves their kid no matter what. And I cried because I am a chronically optimistic person (so annoying) and this is proof that there is goodness in people, even if they don't always show it.'
http://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
In response, Brown told his former classmate that the apology was completely unexpected, but extremely appreciated.
He acknowledged the courage it takes to admit past wrongs and let him know that the love he showed for his son helped heal some of the pain Brown had been carrying for years.
'I would say that makes up for something, and I told him as much, but, wow. What a cool feeling to get that moment. I guess people can change,' Brown said in his video, which has since amassed over 2.4 million views on TikTok.
Through years of healing and introspection, Brown has learned to embrace who he is and block out the negativity. Sharing that growth publicly has opened doors he never expected — and, in its own way, led him to this powerful moment.
'I want for people to experience hope from this story…so many people have struggled through similar experiences, and maybe they can find a little healing of their own through this apology from my bully,' Brown tells PEOPLE.
'We can't change other people or will them to give us retribution, but we can control how we show up for ourselves. I'm grateful that I got this moment, but I'm more lucky that I am in a place to accept it.'
Read the original article on People