American reality star Josh Seiter, who was a contestant on hit show The Bachelorette, has died suddenly at the age of 36.
The US TV star - who featured on on Kaitlyn Bristowe's 2015 season of The Bachelorette, which was the eleventh season of the American reality series - had candidly updated fans on his mental health struggles days before his death was announced. Josh's family shared the sad news of his death in a statement that was released on Monday.
The statement read: "It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Joshua's unexpected passing. As all who knew him can attest, Joshua was an incredibly bright light in an increasingly dim world.
“His fearless voice and indomitable spirit helped thousands of people in their darkest moments feel just a little less alone. Although our heartache at Joshua's passing pains us beyond measure, we find comfort knowing that he is finally at peace.”
Josh had opened up about his mental health struggles days before his death (Instagram)
Josh was on Kaitlyn Bristowe's season of The Bachelorette (Instagram)The statement continued: “We hope and pray that his spirit can continue to live on in the pictures and words on this page, which we will leave up for the time being. While we do that, we would kindly ask for privacy as we grieve.”
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Josh had previously been candid about his own mental health struggles, and in his final Instagram post shared last Thursday, he wrote: "Surviving depression and anxiety one day at a time with a smile."
While back in July 2021, he shared insights into his troubled past. Sharing a photo of himself, he revealed: "I’m Josh Seiter, and I’m a suicide attempt survivor. I battle OCD, Bipolar Depression, and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), but I refuse to give up. What did you survive?"
He again opened up about his darker thoughts in July last year, admitting he battled "feelings of worthlessness on a daily basis," before explaining what issues troubled him. He wrote: "Some of my biggest insecurities revolve around gaining the approval of others.
"You see, at heart I am a people pleaser. I am constantly trying to win the approval of others."
Josh had previously also opened up about his struggles with his sexuality, coming out as bisexual in June this year after previously identifying as pansexual. He told Instinct Magazine: “I believe my upbringing, in the homeschooled Christian niche that we were brought up in, stayed with me, both consciously and unconsciously, for years after leaving home for college.
“I always knew as an early teen I was different sexually, I just don’t think I had the vocabulary to articulate what the difference was. In the distant past, what people might think of my attraction to men and women definitely played an operative role in keeping me silenced about my identity, but those concerns don’t bother me now."
He was dating a dancer named David, and told TV Shows Ace previously that he was “excited to finally be in a healthy relationship” after “a lot of disastrous relationships with women.”
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
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