Trevor Noah recently opened up about his life and career, discussing his personal struggles, experiences with mental health and the challenges he faced on The Daily Show.
Appearing on Steven Bartlett’s podcast Diary of a CEO, the South African comedian opened up about his childhood, his experiences with ADHD, and the impact of fame on his mental health.
Reflecting on his time as host of The Daily Show, Noah admitted that the role was far more challenging than he had anticipated.
“It was terrible,” he said, referencing the unexpected difficulties he encountered.
“You know when they say, ‘Be careful of what you wish for’? It was a challenge. It was absolutely terrible because I stepped into a role that I quickly learned was not just a position. It was a post in a way.”
When Bartlett questioned if race played a part in the hardships he faced, Noah responded thoughtfully, acknowledging that while race may have been a factor, there were also other elements that made him “different.”
He recalled the frequent threats he received through emails, social media, and comments where people would hurl slurs at him, including telling him to “go back where he came from” and using the N-word.
“I would sit there and be like, ‘Wow you hate me, you really hate me. I’ve done nothing to you but you hate me… But then I realised that, no, you hate the idea of me and you hate what I’ve done to your world.”
Despite the toll the show took on him, Noah expressed gratitude for the experience.
He also touched on men’s mental health, highlighting how societal expectations limit men’s emotional expression.
He explained that many men suffer mentally because they feel unable to be vulnerable.
“The sad truth is that a lot of guys have punished other guys for being vulnerable and for being themselves,” he said, pointing to the harmful cycle of stigmatising vulnerability among men.
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