SCOTT MCGLYNN

BY HAYLEY SMITH

YOU HAVE COME SO FAR IN YOUR CAREER, AND HAVE ACHIEVED SO MUCH. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?

I have to say everything I have done. I just fully enjoy it all, from acting, skincare, life on Instagram to charity work. I always remember the highlights from everything I have done, and I’m just very grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given. If I had to choose, I would have to say launching my Instagram IGTV series Celebrity Skin Talk & Acting for sure!

YOU OFTEN TALK ABOUT BEING BULLIED IN SCHOOL FOR BEING GAY. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THESE EXPERIENCES, AND HOW YOU GO THROUGH IT? WHERE DID YOU FIND YOUR STRENGTH?

I’m a big believer in speaking out and sharing your life experience. It was a very tough time of my life. If you would have told me 20 years ago that I would have a chart topping podcast, and be on camera I wouldn’t believe you! I had zero confidence, and it wasn’t until my early 20’s I started to find my confidence again. I came out talking about my experience through my book and it was the best thing I have ever done. It’s helped lots of LGBTQ+ people over the years, and that’s amazing, and gives me the power to keep going and continue to do what I’m doing.

YOU WROTE YOUR MEMOIR OUT IN 2016, ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THEM, AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE GOING THROUGH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS YOU RIGHT NOW?

I always tell anyone struggling with their sexuality to talk about how you’re feeling. There are so many amazing charities out there now to support and help you. I wish I had them available when I was in school in the early 00’s! All I would say is ‘you’re amazing, and you aren’t alone, and don’t change for anyone!’

YOU’VE RECENTLY JOINED PRIDE 365 AS A CHAMPION, CHAMPIONING FOR LGBTQ+ INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU? AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LGBTQ+ INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE?

I started my first proper full time job at 16, and there wasn’t any LGBTQ+ inclusion in place in workplaces. I was bullied by the staff for how I was and how I sounded, and even the managers chimed in. It’s crazy to say this now in 2021 but it continues to happen! Representation is a huge factor in acceptance, and working with Pride 365 is very important on a personal level for me, No-one should go to work and feel bullied, singled out or anyway be treated differently to anyone else because they are LGBTQ+

ACTIVISM IS VERY CLOSE TO YOUR HEART. DO YOU FEEL THAT LGBTQ+ EDUCATION NEEDS TO START IN SCHOOLS, TO HELP TACKLE CURRENT ISSUES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY? WHY OR WHY NOT IS IT IMPORTANT?

It should play a huge part in schools. This is where children learn, and grow and are given the tools to become a young adult. So its hugely important to be learning about LGBTQ+ education, and even sex education, and it should be taught to everyone. I love Olly Pikes’ books for kids, as they teach about LGBTQ+ in an educating and fun way from a young age.

YOU HAVE OVER 200,000 FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU, THAT YOU HAVE BUILT UP SUCH A STRONG COMMUNITY? AND ANY TOP TIPS FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO GROW THEIR FOLLOWING?

Sometimes I’m in shock that I have this many followers. For me it’s just about having fun, doing what I love and being passionate about it. It’s not about a number for me. I just have fun with it. I love sharing my skin care shows, talking about men with skincare problems, it just comes naturally to me. So I made a skin talk show online for everyone to see - why not! Anyone wanting to start out, I say be authentic, share what you want to share, and what you love and be creative. My 13 year old niece is currently teaching me TikTok - I’m useless on there so I don’t have all the answers ha!

YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM FOR ACTIVISM, AND PROMOTING ISSUES AND CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU. YOU HAVE RECENTLY DONE AN IG LIVE WITH NATHANIEL HALL FROM IT’S A SIN. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION AND THE TALKING POINTS?

Yes I love Nathaniel and what he stands for, I think he is just amazing, and so brave. On our IG live we spoke about coming out, acting, HIV and skincare. It’s a regular show, that lets me talk about all things with my friends - I just do it in the public eye, to an audience, and that’s half the fun! Having Nathaniel and RuPauls SisterSister on recently has made me think of a new IGTV show online, which I can’t wait to share with people very soon!!

IT’S A SIN HAS BEEN A PIVOTAL MEDIA MOMENT THIS YEAR. HOW IMPORTANT HAS THIS SHOW BEEN FOR YOU, AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT HAS HAD SUCH AN IMPACT?

The main thing for me was sharing how it was for LGBTQ+ community back in the 80s, and what we went through, which the younger generation don’t really know about - this should be a history topic in schools for sure! The show was done beautifully and I messaged Russell T Davies just after I watched it and just said THANK YOU for bringing it to our screens. It touched so many people of all ages and backgrounds. After watching it I called my mum and asked her what it was like at the time she was living in London. It’s been nice to be open and talk to my mum about it, I enjoyed her story and she’s had gay friends all her life.

WE HEAR THAT YOU’RE TURNING YOUR INTERESTS TO ACTING. HOW’S THAT GOING? DIDN’T YOU RECENTLY FINISHED FILMING FOR SEX EDUCATION AND CASUALTY ?

You know acting has always been in my life, I love the industry, and being in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes - it’s so interesting! Yes I got casted for Sex Education 3 then a week later I was shooting a film then got asked to do 3 days on Casualty which was incredible! What I love is how I can be someone one day and someone completely different the next, I have just been cast for a new indie film which is exciting. I don’t waste opportunities when things come my way, I just go for it, and that’s what’s exciting. I love receiving a script and learning about someone else’s life and background and then delivering it.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU AND YOUR WORK?

For me I haven’t stopped. I don’t sit around do nothing, and am one to keep going, and being creative. I made 2 shows in lockdown which have taken off, which is amazing! And I have been doing online auditions, zoom call table readings and virtual events. It’s all still very much active, things have just been online rather than in person. I love being busy and I get up early every morning and get work done. I don’t waste time sitting around doing nothing. The one thing this pandemic has taught me is not to waste my time, or my days, and always try to do something new, and continue learning.