It was the TV series that took Australia by storm. But now, one of the child stars reveals the heartbreaking reality of Summer Heights High
Child actor Jansen Andre has opened up about the heartbreaking reality of his role on iconic Australian comedy series Summer Heights High.
The mockumentary series, created by Chris Lilley, followed the goings on of the titular fictional high school.
Appearing on the Mind Your Head podcast, Jansen revealed his turn in the popular series only served to exacerbate bullying he was already experiencing in high school.
In the series, Jansen played Sebastian - a year seven student who begins a relationship with Year 11 student Ja'mie King, played by creator Lilley.
'My mum had a talent agency - I grew up a child model. 'I was always in the limelight and kids were always hanging s*** on me,' Jansen explained.
'The biggest one for me, I was in a show called Summer Heights High when I was 11 years old.
'That came out Year seven - first year of high school. My role in that was Sebastian. I was dating Ja'mie who's Chris Lilley in real life, who is actually a guy but was playing a girl.'
'I went to an all boys private school, so you can just imagine what I was copping. All of the terms.'
Jansen added that it wasn't just taunts and jibes he was subjected to, but also physical violence.
'School is already a hard time for everyone so for them to have something to grab on to - they'd bash me for it,' he shockingly admitted.
'I would do anything to push those comments away so I could feel like I was part of the group.'
Despite only appearing in two episodes of Summer Heights High, Jansen admitted the role haunted him long after its airing.
'I was always the one that was bullied,' he said.
'I had money extorted from he, I was bashed a few times when I was 13 or 14. I got myself into the wrong circles, they turned and we had fights and stuff.'
Appearing on the Mind Your Head podcast, Jansen revealed his turn in the popular series only served to exacerbate bullying he was already experiencing in high school
Despite his ordeal, Jansen said that he did not resent being cast in the series.
'I don't know if I resented it but it was just fuel to the fire for why I was getting picked on even more,' he said.
'I never look back and wish it never happened.
'I've grown from being that little scared boy that was constantly bullied and pining for validation into the man that I am today and I would never change it.'
Jansen's admission comes after Chris Lilley recently revealed the comeback of beloved Summer Heights High character Mr G.
The comedian took to Instagram in April to share a clip of himself as the iconic teacher he plays in the series
In the video, Chris could be seen crossing his foot, straightening his tie, folding his arms and, of course, awkwardly bouncing on his pink yoga ball.
The clip then cut to a grey background where 'Mr G is back' popped up on the screen in red, confirming rumours the Aussie funnyman was bringing his hilarious alter ego back to the screen
In July 2021, four of his television shows were removed from Netflix due to concerns over 'blackface' portrayals.
It was announced Jonah from Tonga, Angry Boys, Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes would be removed from Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
The shows raised questions about racial discrimination, as several characters were depicted using blackface and brownface.
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