‘I hated the fact that I was small,’ Canadian reality star John L. Ferguson shares his experiences growing up as a little person in rural Ontario

Whether navigating dating, playing sports, or not seeing himself represented on TV, Canadian reality star John Ferguson knows what it means to stand out. He shares what it was like growing up as a little person, and why, despite the challenges, he wouldn’t trade his unique upbringing for anything.

​​John L. Ferguson is a content creator turned reality TV star who appeared on season 10 of The Amazing Race Canada. Now, the Erin, Ontario-born star is on the new TLC show, Little Singles.

The new TLC series sees Ferguson  and four other young, single little people showcasing life as a little person during a trip to Palm Springs, California. The show gives insight into a little person’s life when navigating dating, romance, and life’s twists and turns while living in a world geared towards average-sized people.

So, Ferguson gave Now Toronto the inside scoop on what growing up as a little person was like for him and how, despite the hurdles, he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

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‘Little-to-no women really wanted me because I was small’: Ferguson on dating in Erin

Ferguson grew up as the only little person he knew of in the Ontario town of Erin. The Canadian reality star ​didn’t have any other little person to learn from or relate to firsthand, as his family is all average height.

So, growing up with average-sized friends, he quickly learned his height difference would lead to a few challenges in dating.

“I hung around a lot of average-height friends who were obviously flirting with average-size women, and I tried since the age of 12 to create some sort of romantic connection with a woman, even kiss them, and it was quite a humbling experience,” Ferguson said.

“When I grew up, little-to-no women really wanted me because I was small,” he said.

Ferguson said it took a lot of maturing and feeling secure in himself to truly succeed in dating. Once he was confident, he had some romantic interactions with average-sized women, and later went on to date other little people. “I realized, who am I to not want little women if I’m upset that average-height women do not want me?” Ferguson said.

‘I had these aspirations of reaching the NHL’: Ferguson on quitting his dream due to his height

Ferguson used to be very athletic growing up, but says he quit sports due to challenges presented by his height.

“I grew up playing hockey. I had all these inspirations of reaching the NHL, and then about 12 years old, they were like, ‘Oh yeah, there’s hitting,’” Ferguson explained.

So, to avoid getting hit in the head by average-sized people, he decided to quit.

For about two years after needing to quit hockey, Ferguson hated his height.

“I hated the fact that I was small, but later, I was happy. I’ve leveraged my uniqueness in order to create a career,” he explained.

Now he gets to be the representation on TV that he wishes he had grown up with.

“There just aren’t a lot of Canadian little people who are on reality TV showcasing what we’re capable of, and I like to represent,” Ferguson said. “If at least I’m an inspiration, that would be great.”

‘I would rather grow up in an average-sized family than a small family,’ Ferguson’s upbringing

Ferguson grew up in an average-sized family, and claims he wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Earlier in my life, I was quite self-conscious about everyone looking at me, and I’m the only little person [in my family],” he said. “You can imagine what would happen if all of us were little. Everyone would be looking at us. Everyone would be curious.”

Another thing he loves: what he calls his family’s cluelessness about growing up small.

“We were all learning what it was like for me together. Everyone had no clue how I would grow up, and I almost appreciated the cluelessness of it all,” Ferguson shared.

From getting picked up to having someone’s hand on his head: Ferguson’s biggest pet peeves

In the first episode of Little Singles, Ferguson was physically lifted up by an average-sized person, and told Now Toronto that’s one of his biggest pet peeves.

“Someone picking me up is the thing I hate most about being small in a public space,” Ferguson shared.

“If you grab me, lift me up, we’re not recreating The Lion King out here,” he said.

Another pet peeve: having someone put their hand on his head.

“First of all, I only shower like once a week. Like dude, I don’t need your grease on my hair,” Ferguson joked.

​’I’m happy I’m unique’: Ferguson debunks misconception of being unhappy as a little person

Ferguson explained that many people assume little people aren’t comfortable with who they are, nor are they happy. But he debunks that misconception, saying, “I’m happy I’m unique.”

“My friends and I who are little, we wouldn’t change this for anything. We’re very confident with who we are. If everyone in the world was the same, it would be pretty boring,” Ferguson remarked.

Ferguson appreciates that his height started his career, and he can now help make little people mainstream on TV.

“I helped create something that’s more relatable than just a little person as a side character, because now we are the main crew,” he said.

“We live lives like everyone else. We cry, we laugh, we hook up, we have secrets. Just like everyone else,” Ferguson said. “There are a few things we have to do differently, but in the end, we are just your average friend group who has some drama attached to us, which you see on the show.”