Man gets message from former high school bully, 20 years after being harassed for being gay

Misha Brown was surprised to receive a message from someone who once caused him great pain, his high school bully.

The unexpected note didn’t just apologise, it reflected a deeper personal admission: the bully’s 15-year-old son had recently come out as gay, prompting the man to reconsider how he had treated others in the past.

For Brown, now 37 and a well-known influencer, the apology stirred strong emotions. “Honestly, when I first saw the message come through, I didn’t know what to expect,” Brown told People.

“I couldn’t think of a single reason as to why he’d reach out. But there it was, and I opened it,” he said.

The man shared that his initial hope after learning about his son was that the teen would experience the kindness he never showed Brown.

Growing up in a small Western New York town, Brown recalls being a bright, expressive boy who loved singing Whitney Houston songs and playing with Polly Pockets — interests that made him a target of bullying and profoundly affected his adolescence.

“Being bullied as a child truly shaped the entire experience of growing up. I over-analysed every part of myself,” Brown said.

“Acceptance became the only currency I craved, and it made me put a lot of pressure on myself.”

Since then, Brown has developed a multifaceted career in theatre, social media, and podcasting. Hosting the popular Wondery podcast The Big Flop and amassing nearly 4 million followers online, he uses his platform to connect people and foster self-acceptance.

“As my platform has grown, I saw the impact that it can have. I want to be a bridge and try my best to bring people together,” Brown said.

“A lot of people have experienced bullying, feeling like they have been left behind, or don’t love themselves, and I use my platform to let them know that they are not broken or alone.”

His upcoming book, Be Your Own Bestie, set for release in February 2026, explores his personal journey toward self-love.

While Brown has received apologies from others before, this one struck a different chord. “I cried when I read what he wrote to me,” Brown admitted.

“I cried for me, the little boy who desperately cried in his mum’s arms, begging to not be gay. I cried for his son… and I cried because I am a chronically optimistic person (so annoying) and this is proof that there is goodness in people, even if they don’t always show it.”

Brown responded to his former bully, recognising the courage it took to acknowledge past mistakes and expressing gratitude for the healing his message brought. “What a cool feeling to get that moment. I guess people can change,” he said, reflecting on the TikTok video of their exchange that has over 2.4 million views.

He hopes this story offers hope and healing to others who have endured similar hardships. “We can’t change other people or will them to give us retribution, but we can control how we show up for ourselves. I’m grateful that I got this moment, but I’m more lucky that I am in a place to accept it,” Brown told People,