Big Brother's Paul Calafiore says he's 'contemplated suicide'

Big Brother's Paul Calafiore says he's 'contemplated suicide' amid past 'low points'

Published: 04:31 BST, 27 June 2018 | Updated: 10:51 BST, 27 June 2018

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WARNING: Story contains potentially triggering material

Big Brother's Paul Calafiore said that he's 'contemplated suicide' in the past.

The 29-year-old reality star, chatting Monday with the podcast Challenge Mania, said that he's used his fame to try and come to the help of people who are in distress in their lives.

'When I talk to the youth and when I talk to people who are survivors there's always going to be that darkness from bad situations - I've been there,' the Howell Township, New Jersey native said on the podcast. 'I've been at low points of my life where I've contemplated suicide, and it takes a really strong person to be able to come out and admit that.

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Shocking reveal: Big Brother's Paul Calafiore, 29, said that he's 'contemplated suicide' in the past

'I've had my own s*** happen to me in my past, things that I haven't even told my family about, things that I haven't even come out publicly about, as to why I support certain things, about sexual assault and bullying.'

Calafiore said that he was mocked by bullies with homophobic taunts as a high school student because he had 'really, really long blond hair.'

He recalled: 'They would call me Sunshine, call me a f****t, they would try to corner me in school. I developed a passion towards kids who go through s***.'

Calafiore said that as someone who 'didn't care about being part of the cool kids crew,' he 'always stood up for kids in high school who went through' struggles with bullies as well.

Free spirit: Paul was seen in this shot from Big Brother spoofing blurred nudity

Fit for action: The reality star posed next to Natalie Negrotti, who's set to appear with him on The Challenge: Final Reckoning

'Whether it made me unpopular or not ... I didn't care about being part of the popular clique,' he said on the podcast. 'I cared about doing what was right because I knew that would make my mother and father proud.'

Calafiore's actions in this regard did not cease when he finished high school, as he teamed up with the CyberSmile Foundation, an anti-bullying non-profit, after another personal experience reinforced the importance of staying active in the battle against bullying.

'The girl I was dating was catching a lot of heat on social media for being with me because of the way I played the game [on Big Brother's 18th season.] She was saying how she wanted to kill herself.'

Calafiore is a contestant on The Challenge: Final Reckoning, which debuts on MTV July 10 at 9/8c.

For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.