In a blast from the past that’s as surprising as it is heartwarming, we’ve uncovered a gem from YouTube’s golden era. Back in 2015, a then-up-and-coming Riyadh Khalaf did something most of us only fantasize about – he called up his high school bully.
And trust us, the conversation that unfolds is not what you’d expect.
Riyadh’s journey from bullied teen to influential public figure has been remarkable. Since this video, he’s become a familiar face on BBC Three and BBC Radio 1 and penned the bestselling book Yay! You’re Gay! Now What?, and even emerged victorious on Celebrity MasterChef Ireland in 2020.
In the video, we see a young Riyadh, visibly nervous as he dials, admitting, “I’m actually shaking.” What follows is a raw, honest dialogue that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
Riyadh opens up about the fear that defined his school days. “I was actually really afraid of you,” he confesses to his former tormentor. “If I saw you in the corridor, I would turn and go a different way.”
He then recounts the homophobic slurs, the humiliation, and how the bullying forced him to adopt a “class clown” persona as a shield.
But it’s the bully’s response that’s genuinely surprising…
Take a moment to watch this powerful exchange – it might just change your perspective on bullying and forgiveness:
Since this video was made, more than nine years ago, Riyadh has continued to use his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.
His willingness to be vulnerable on camera paved the way for a career dedicated to fostering understanding and acceptance.