‘People trying to validate their fear,’ Toronto influencer responds to hate for modelling in Shoppers Drug Mart campaign

A Toronto-based content creator is responding to backlash after appearing as a model in a new Shoppers Drug Mart campaign. 

Myles Sexton has previously worked with Shoppers as an influencer but told Now Toronto that this is the first time they’ve worked with the company as a campaign model. Calling it a full circle moment, Sexton said that being asked to model was special because their first job in Toronto was at a Shoppers Drug Mart beauty boutique. 

“I’ve been on a journey for modelling and makeup over the years. So, it just felt so nice,” they explained to Now Toronto. “I don’t get to see people that look like me in beauty ads very often, you know, especially in a Canadian facing market… for a Canadian company to do this, I think it’s pretty amazing.”

Sexton said that for the first few days after the campaign launched, they received positive feedback, with people giving them kudos for the gig, and sharing photos of the in-store posters.

However, on Monday, the narrative surrounding the campaign began to change, with some people sharing their upset about Sexton’s involvement. 

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A post shared by Myles Sexton (@mylessexton)

“All of these [comments] are very much, like, heavy on my image,” they explained. “You know, a lot of people commenting on how upset they are that a person who has a beard and is wearing makeup is featured in an ad like this.”

Sexton says that they deal with online hate due to their identity every day, adding that it’s only gotten worse over the last few years. They explained that the hatred and trolling tend to flare up when they work on a project with a large brand.

“I’m better now, at like managing how it impacts me… I just really try to look at it as a really great way that we can have more meaningful conversations around this topic.”

The influencer said that they believe a lot of people think the fight for equality and representation is over, which is not true. 

“This just shows the work that still needs to happen in order to create safer spaces for people in Canada and the world.”

Sexton says that as soon as negative feedback began pouring in, the Shoppers team reached out to ensure they were OK.

“We believe that makeup is a powerful tool for self-expression and creativity and that everyone, regardless of gender, should feel empowered to explore and embrace it,” the company said in a statement to Now Toronto. 

SEXTON SHARES ADVICE FOR 2SLGBTQ+ YOUTH

Sexton says they have suffered through verbal and physical violence due to their identity for years, and shared some advice for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. 

“Choosing your authenticity over your safety, takes a lot of courage,” they explained. “[You have] to celebrate yourself, that you have the courage to be your authentic self, and like, walk out that door every single day.”

They added that criticizing someone online does not take courage. 

“I feel like it’s just people trying to validate their fear and their miseducation… I try not to let those things affect me, because it’s not worth it. These people, they’re not paying [my] bills at the end of the day,” they continued.

“I want the world to know that, you know, someone like myself exists, and there’s so many of us and like we deserve just as much as anyone else to be members of society and show up as our authentic, fabulous selves.”

They shared that they believe people who share hate against minorities online are fearing the unknown. 

“I think that’s like, a big part of why these groups target trans and people from the 2SLGBTQ+ community because I think we really like go against what society told us that we should be right and I think a lot of people have so much internalized shame.”

“It’s just unfortunate that they can’t see that, and they just choose to hate on our community versus like, actually, just look within themselves and like, do the work for themselves to grow as humans.”