Model made to really feel ‘nugatory’ over incapacity however will get final snigger

EXCLUSIVE: Brittany Taylor, 29, bravely opened up about the horrible bullying she faced when growing up – but she never once let it stand in the way of her dreams

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A woman revealed the hidden struggles of living with a disability – but she said it won’t impact her life anymore.

While many people see red carpets, photoshoots and glamour, Brittany Taylor claimed the reality has often been far more difficult. Not only has she faced cruel trolls, her health condition made it difficult for her to find love. The 29-year-old grew up and always felt like the world was different – but couldn’t explain why. Now Brittany, from the US, who was crowned Playmate of the Decade has gone on to dazzle the runways and she’s certainly not looking back.

In an exclusive chat with Daily Star, the model, who lives with autism, said: “Growing up, I always felt like I experienced the world differently, even if I couldn’t explain why.

“Receiving my autism diagnosis later in life gave me answers to questions I’d carried for years. It helped me understand that the things I once saw as flaws were actually part of how my brain works. It brought me a sense of relief and self-acceptance.”

According to statistics by VeryWell Health, experts believe thousands of autistic women remain undiagnosed with some research suggesting up to 80% of females are not identified by the age of 18.

For Brittany, who boasts 250,000 followers on Instagram where she shares her life, said her struggles didn’t end when she left school – in fact, the most devastating trolling came as an adult.

She continued: “Unfortunately, bullying didn’t stop when I became an adult. Some of the most painful experiences came from other adults.”

The model faced ex-partners who told her she was “worthless” and even heard similar remarks from other women. She was also mocked for her traits, which she eventually understood was linked to autism.

She bravely said: “I was told ‘I couldn’t read a room’ or ‘lazy’ and treated my differences as something to laugh at instead of trying to understand them.

“Those experiences had a profound impact on my mental health. They made me question my worth, my intelligence, and whether I belonged anywhere.”

The bullying affected how she viewed herself for years – as she believed she “wasn’t good enough”. Despite the years of rejection and criticism, she refused to let it stand in the way of her modelling.

Behind the scenes, Brittany said how working in the entertainment industry while autistic can be exhausting. With her role constantly changing, highly sociable and often unpredictable, the model and actress needs “extra time” to process situations after a busy day.

She admitted: “People often only see the finished photos or red carpet moments. They don’t see the long hours, constant travel, rejection, pressure to maintain an image, or the mental exhaustion that can come with networking and social events.

“I’ve even sometimes found relationships challenging because communication styles and emotional needs can be different. Because I love wholeheartedly, I can become insecure when I feel misunderstood or uncertain about where I stand.

“I value honesty, consistency and clear communication because those things help me feel safe and secure in a relationship.

“And because I love so deeply and am incredibly loyal, some people mistake that for being obsessive. In reality, that’s not who I am. My instinct is to protect the people I care about, not to control or hurt them.”

Speaking about the stigma surrounding autism and relationships, Brittany said although awareness is improving, more people need to share their experiences.

In terms of understanding people with autism, she claimed communication and acceptance are key.

And giving advice for others who are living with a disability, she said: “Share it when you feel safe and ready. The right person won’t see your autism as a flaw. They’ll simply see it as part of who you are.

“Being different isn’t something to be ashamed of. The qualities that make you feel like you don’t fit in today may become your greatest strengths tomorrow. Keep believing in yourself, even when other people don’t understand you.

“Being autistic doesn’t make me less worthy, less intelligent, or less deserving of kindness. It simply means I experience and process the world differently.

“If my story helps even one person feel less alone or encourages someone to think twice before judging another person, then being open about what I’ve been through will have been worth it.”