The Traitors star Meryl Williams details experiences of bullying in everyday life: ‘People film me and laugh’
‘People sometimes mistake me for a child and ask where my mum is,’ says Williams
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Traitors star Meryl Williams has said she is taunted by bullies when out in public.
Last week, Williams was crowned winner of the BBC One competition alongside fellow contestants Aaron Evans and Hannah Byschowski. The three split the £101,050 jackpot between them.
The 26-year-old is 4 ft and 2 inches tall and has achondroplasia.
Following her victory on The Traitors, Williams has described harrowing experiences that she has had to deal with on an everyday basis.
“Throughout school I was lucky and I was treated the same as everyone else, but in public I face discrimination on an everyday basis,” she told The Scottish Daily Express.
“There’s not enough awareness of my condition. I think people often see some sort of hilarity in it because often dwarfs are in pantomimes and because of the Oompa-Loompas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Williams continued: “A lot of people are taken aback. They point and laugh. I’ve had people film me and hysterically laugh when I’m doing a weekly shop.
“I feel on edge when I walk past a group of teenage boys, and don’t leave the house on my own. People sometimes mistake me for a child and ask where my mum is.”
Williams recently spoke to Metro about her goals following her triumph on The Traitors, telling the publication that she would like to break into the television industry.
“I’d love to do presenting, something like that,” she said. “‘But I’m going to use the [jackpot] money for flexibility to try and get into that industry and keep on trying.
“It’s definitely going to give me some options now to try and use this time and definitely use this exposure to try and ride the wave.”
The Traitors, which is presented by Claudia Winkleman, is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.