BET.com caught up with Kyle, of "College Hill South Beach" to talk to him about his eating disorder. When did he first start binging? Is he still seeking counseling? What advice does he have for others struggling with body image? Find out.
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BET.com: When did you first eat and then throw up your food? What happened to make you want to binge and purge at that time?
Kyle: I think it started in middle school. At first, it started as an excuse for me to get out of class. I could just eat something and throw up. I didn’t know anything about bulimia. I noticed I was losing all of this baby fat. I wasn’t working out. I put two and two together. I didn’t know bulimia existed. That’s how it started. I’ve never done the finger thing. I could just do it. It started in sixth grade … almost a decade.
BET.com: Are you still bulimic?
Kyle: I’m still struggling with it.
BET.com: Is weight loss still your motivation?
Kyle: I think so. It’s something that I need to do. I’m not as focused on that now as before the show started. It’s something that I need to work on until I achieve my desired look. I’m still not as confident in myself as I should be. I’ve gained a little bit more confidence since watching myself on TV and reading comments from fans.
BET.com: How did being on the show help?
Kyle: I have confidence … clearly. I guess it’s just that I don’t like the way I look in my clothes. I’m not confident in my physical aspect, but I have the mental capacity. I’ve seen it on the show.
BET.com: So, what are you doing now to help your self-perception?
Kyle: I am dancing. It’s the summer, so my dance group is getting ready for the ’09 season. I’m coming up with routines. I’m getting back into that vibe. I’m not auditioning for “College Hill” anymore. I picked up weight auditioning for “College Hill.” It was stressful. I ate, ate, ate.
BET.com: Are you still seeking counseling?
Kyle: Yeah. I’m not seeking counseling from a professional. I’m seeking counseling from all the fans.
BET.com: How would you respond to people who insist bulimia is a woman’s disease?
Kyle: I think body image is not just for women. Body image is for men and women. It’s something reflected in both. Men that go to the gym and work out don’t like the way their body looks. It’s the same thing.
BET.com: In retrospect, why do you think you were hard on Allison and Kathryn?
Kyle: I think I was negative to Kay because I was dealing with my own issues in my life. She seemed like the easiest target. It was just me taking my frustrations out on Allison and Kathryn.
BET.com: What words would you offer to others struggling with an eating disorder?
Kyle: I would tell them to talk to somebody around them. So, at least they can get out that emotional stress. Talk about it. I would just go online. It’s a lot of people going through this issue. Just research the issue and you’ll get the info you’re looking for.
Everybody’s going through something. Someone is going through what you’re going through or something worse. Be appreciative of everything you’ve got and make the best of it.
BET.com: What made you open up to the housemates about your eating disorder?
Kyle: I think at that point, it was just time to let it go. I’m over it. I’m ready to challenge myself to do something different. It’s time for me to do 100 crunches and get it done instead of procrastinating. It’s time to give myself a challenge. It’s time for me to set goals for myself and achieve those goals, and that’s it.
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