Dove Cameron is really opening up about her personal journey in a recent interview with Bydrie. The 27-year-old actress and singer, best known for her role in Descendants, didn’t hold back when discussing her father’s suicide and her own experiences with suicidal thoughts.
First, Dove addressed the stigma surrounding suicide and the importance of being open about it. She said, “I think it’s important just to say this: I’ve had times in my life when I was incredibly suicidal. And I think that needs to be destigmatized. My father [died by] suicide. I’ve spoken about that a lot. And I always think about how much shame and stigma there is around suicide.”
She raises an excellent point. The stigma around suicide and mental health issues can prevent people from seeking help or sharing their struggles. Dove believes that by talking openly about these difficult topics, it can help others who may be in a similar situation. She added, “And if we could be more open about suicide and mental health, I think there would be so many people [who would say], ‘Hey, I feel like there’s no other option. Can you show me that there are?’” It’s a powerful message about the need for empathy and understanding.
But the conversation didn’t stop there. Dove also touched on her personal style and how it relates to her identity, particularly in terms of her sexuality. She mentioned that her coming out as queer was something that garnered a lot of attention, especially after she wrote a song about it. However, she emphasized that sometimes style choices are just about expressing oneself in the moment.
Dove explained, “It’s fun to not really know what the next style evolution is going to be. Me coming out as queer has been something people have definitely focused on, and obviously I wrote a big song about it, so I understand that.” It’s clear that she acknowledges the impact of her public statements and creative work.
She also highlighted the significance of personal style as a form of self-expression. “But sometimes how you present is a huge statement, a declaration, and a reclamation of who you are. And sometimes, it’s just like, ‘This style is what I’m doing right now.’ I might be blonde again in six months. It’s just not always that serious…”
Dove’s take on style and identity is refreshingly candid. She recognizes that even seemingly small changes in appearance can have a big impact in how one expresses themselves. She added, “I can exist in the world and be something that is less universally palatable. And it’s not to be controversial—in fact, I think who I am as a person has not really changed at all. It’s very funny how a little hair dye, a couple of tattoos, and wearing [fewer] pastels is like this ‘revolution.’”
In these few words, Dove Cameron manages to convey a lot about the importance of self-expression and breaking free from societal expectations. It’s a reminder that we should embrace who we are, whether it’s through our style choices or by openly discussing our personal struggles, in order to create a more compassionate and understanding world.
