"We have to be allowed to feel the feelings we have no matter what situation we're in, and we have to let other people do the same thing."
Former Radio City Rockette, Emmy award winning television personality, New York Times bestselling author, and the LadyGang podcast host Keltie Knight is a dancer, actress, and creator that’s built a vibrant career in the entertainment industry, and she joined Danny LoPriore on an episode of the Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore mental health podcast to discuss her success, the relationship between the entertainment industry and mental health, growing up close to someone with mental illness, and more.
For those that work in entertainment – television, film, digital media, comedy, modeling, etc. – it’s no secret that the industry can be a difficult place to exist. With “cancel culture” stewing in most corners of the internet, maintaining your mental health in that environment can be challenging. Either you’re deemed unreliable, people are less likely to exercise empathy, or you simply cannot get the help you need for fear of losing some level of success. In this episode, Keltie discusses the mental health crisis in Hollywood, her own journey to where she is today, and her current perspective on the entertainment industry and mental health.
Keltie and Danny specifically unpack Selena Gomez’s new documentary on her journey with mental illness as well as the infamous Kanye West controversy: two displays of very different reactions to mental illness. While there is no excuse for hateful language, Keltie prompts us to wonder if there is some grace to be given to people whose illness has a part to play in their behavior. Beyond this, Danny and Keltie consider the role cancel culture plays in the larger story of mental health and mental illness and how we as individuals can balance accountability and understanding for ourselves and others.
Currently, Keltie Knight is fostering a community that’s safe and encouraging for women alongside her co-hosts Becca Tobin and Jac Vanek through the LadyGang podcast, advocating for proper mental health and mental illness care and resources, serving others through a variety of philanthropic efforts, and working to develop more compassion between the entertainment industry and mental health.
Listen in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and check out our Off the Cuff Instagram to stay up-to-date on our podcast news! Off The Cuff with Danny Lopriore is presented by 1AND1. Become 1% Better, Together at www.1and1life.com.
