Bea Miller Says She Was Inappropriately Touched by Adult Men During Meet-and-Greets as a Teen After The X Factor
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“I had to develop a thick skin,” Miller said during a recent appearance on Justin Tranter’s Unfamous podcast.
Bea Miller has spoken candidly about the difficult experiences she faced after entering the spotlight at a young age.
The singer first gained widespread attention as a 13-year-old finalist on the second season of The X Factor. Now 27, Miller reflected on some of the uncomfortable situations she encountered during meet-and-greets while growing up in the public eye during an appearance on Justin Tranter’s Unfamous podcast.
Miller said she had to develop emotional resilience much earlier than many people her age. She explained that while others may have learned to handle criticism and difficult situations later in their teens or twenties, she was forced to develop that toughness while still being a highly emotional child.
She also described the pressure of being viewed as an example for younger fans while she was still trying to figure out who she was. Miller said she was searching for people she could look up to while simultaneously realizing that other young people might see her as someone to emulate.
The singer recalled facing harsh criticism from both adults and younger people online. She expressed disbelief that grown men would target a teenage girl on the internet, describing the experience as deeply upsetting and disturbing.
Miller also recalled encounters with older men at her meet-and-greets, where she said she experienced inappropriate physical contact while she was still a teenager. Referring to these individuals jokingly as “Grandpa Jenkins,” after a SpongeBob SquarePants character, she said there were occasions when she was around 17 and experienced inappropriate touching during fan events.
At the time, Miller said she struggled to process what was happening because she viewed herself as being at work and felt obligated to continue performing. She described having to compose herself after upsetting encounters and then immediately return to greeting fans with a smile.
Looking back, Miller said those experiences forced her to develop a thick skin at a very young age. Although she acknowledged how difficult that period was, she believes the resilience she gained has helped her navigate her career as an adult.