Rob Lowe Opens Up About Being Called Homophobic Slur “24/7” as a Child

Rob Lowe has spoken publicly for the first time about being repeatedly targeted with a homophobic slur as a child because people considered him “pretty.”

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey on his Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast on 20 August, Lowe said his appearance made him a target while growing up.

“I wish that when I was younger I was cute. What I actually was, was pretty,” Lowe said. “And that as a boy is not what you want to be.”

He said he was called the f-slur “24/7” and described the experience as one of the events that shaped him. Lowe said he had never previously spoken publicly about the abuse.

The actor, known for films including Oxford Blues, said he had long followed a “never complain, never explain” approach to life. However, he acknowledged that childhood bullying can have lasting effects.

“We know today that that stuff affects you,” Lowe said.

Lowe also reflected on how the experience might have been different if he had grown up in today’s culture. He said there would likely have been more support and an audience willing to address the bullying.