Brittany Taylor, a 29-year-old model from the US who lives with autism, has opened up about the bullying she faced throughout her life, but she has now achieved success as Playmate of the Decade and a runway model. Despite the challenges, she refuses to let her disability define her.
Early struggles and diagnosis
Taylor grew up feeling different but could not explain why. She received an autism diagnosis later in life, which she says gave her answers to questions she had carried for years. According to statistics from VeryWell Health, experts believe thousands of autistic women remain undiagnosed, with some research suggesting up to 80% of females are not identified by the age of 18.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Star, Taylor said: 'Growing up, I always felt like I experienced the world differently, even if I couldn't explain why. Receiving my autism diagnosis later in life gave me answers to questions I'd carried for years. It helped me understand that the things I once saw as flaws were actually part of how my brain works. It brought me a sense of relief and self-acceptance.'
Adult bullying and relationships
Taylor revealed that bullying did not stop when she became an adult. She faced ex-partners who told her she was 'worthless' and was mocked by other women for her traits, which she later understood were linked to autism. She said: 'I was told I couldn't read a room or lazy and treated my differences as something to laugh at instead of trying to understand them. Those experiences had a profound impact on my mental health. They made me question my worth, my intelligence, and whether I belonged anywhere.'
The bullying affected her self-view for years, making her believe she 'wasn't good enough.' Despite this, she refused to let it hinder her modelling career.
Challenges in the entertainment industry
Taylor, who has 250,000 followers on Instagram, said working in the entertainment industry while autistic can be exhausting. The role is constantly changing, highly sociable, and often unpredictable. She needs 'extra time' to process situations after a busy day. She said: 'People often only see the finished photos or red carpet moments. They don't see the long hours, constant travel, rejection, pressure to maintain an image, or the mental exhaustion that can come with networking and social events.'
She also finds relationships challenging because communication styles and emotional needs can differ. She said: 'Because I love wholeheartedly, I can become insecure when I feel misunderstood or uncertain about where I stand. I value honesty, consistency and clear communication because those things help me feel safe and secure in a relationship. And because I love so deeply and am incredibly loyal, some people mistake that for being obsessive. In reality, that's not who I am. My instinct is to protect the people I care about, not to control or hurt them.'
Advice for others
Taylor encourages others living with a disability to share their experiences when they feel safe and ready. She said: 'The right person won't see your autism as a flaw. They'll simply see it as part of who you are. Being different isn't something to be ashamed of. The qualities that make you feel like you don't fit in today may become your greatest strengths tomorrow. Keep believing in yourself, even when other people don't understand you.'
She added: 'Being autistic doesn't make me less worthy, less intelligent, or less deserving of kindness. It simply means I experience and process the world differently. If my story helps even one person feel less alone or encourages someone to think twice before judging another person, then being open about what I've been through will have been worth it.'
