Shauna Rae has opened up about the challenges she faces dating as a woman who looks like a child.
During a conversation on an episode of The Unplanned Podcast, Rae, 25, shared the troubles she’s faced in her love life.
Beyond her past relationship struggles, Rae has also spoken out about the challenges she faces due to her unique physical appearance.
Standing at just 3 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 50 pounds, she has shared how she often encounters individuals with inappropriate intentions.
She first gained public attention in 2022 through her TLC show I Am Shauna Rae, which chronicles her journey navigating adulthood after a childhood illness affected her growth.
Rae has openly admitted that her appearance often attracts unwanted attention from “creeps.”
“People don’t understand that I’m an adult,” she shared.
In various interviews, she has expressed frustration over frequently being mistaken for a child—receiving kids’ menus and crayons at restaurants and struggling to be taken seriously in public spaces.
During a podcast appearance, Rae opened up about a painful chapter in her life, revealing that she was in an abusive relationship during her late teenage years.
She spoke candidly about dating an abusive ex when she was 17 or 18, though she chose not to disclose his identity. She shared distressing details about the experience, highlighting the personal boundaries she now upholds in relationships.
Discussing her firm stance against certain behaviors, she emphasized, “Cheating, physical violence—even if it’s just you get mad and shove me—are absolute deal-breakers.”
Podcast host Matt Howard then asked if she had personally experienced such treatment.
Rae’s response was direct: “Oh yeah. I was in a very abusive relationship.”
Rae described how the abuse began subtly before gradually escalating.
“It started with him grabbing my wrist, then getting mad at video games and punching the couch right next to me,” she recalled. “And before I knew it, it escalated to him grabbing my wrist harder and pulling me.”
She continued, “Next thing they know, they’re no longer taking their anger out on the couch—they’re taking it out on you.”
Rae alleged that her ex eventually became physically violent, hitting her.
At the time, she admitted, she was almost desensitized to mistreatment. “I was very used to being in abusive situations because I’ve been neglected a lot by the public,” she shared, adding that she had simply “dated the wrong dude.”
Her parents only learned the full extent of the abuse on the day she ended the relationship. “That’s when they found out he was a horrible person,” she said.
The breaking point came when he began sending her threats via text, solidifying her decision to leave.
Now, Rae encourages others to recognize the warning signs and seek help early. “Don’t let people cut you off. Don’t let them tell you that you’re less than,” she urged.
She emphasized the importance of self-worth in relationships. “Once you start hearing anything that isn’t uplifting—because a relationship should make you a better version of yourself—if it’s not doing that, you should really walk away.”
Her final message was clear: “If things escalate to where the other person is emotionally or physically scaring you, start talking to someone. Learn to walk away.”
Rae openly discussed the challenges of dating and the unsettling reality of attracting the wrong kind of attention.
“It’s very easy to be prey in this world as a tiny little girl,” she admitted. “Anyone interested in you—you have to really analyze their intentions because there’s a chance it’s about your size.”
This awareness made dating an intimidating experience for her growing up. She recalled feeling anxious about romantic interactions: “I was scared to date. I was scared to flirt with anyone. I was scared to even be asked out.”
One particular moment stood out from her teenage years. When a boy approached her in the cafeteria, her immediate reaction was fear and doubt. “I was like, are you a predator? I can’t say yes. I can’t say yes.”
Her parents, however, offered her a different perspective on relationships—one rooted in deeper emotional connections rather than surface-level attraction.
“When they finally had the talk with me, they said, ‘Look, people may view you differently in romantic situations. But what really matters is building a friendship first.’”
They emphasized that relationships should be built on a strong foundation. “At the end of the day, it’s not about looks. You’re gonna get old, you’re gonna get ugly, you’re gonna get grouchy.”
Their advice carried a powerful message: “You want to find someone you can build a real bond with. Chances are, the person you end up with will be someone who was your friend for a really, really long time—someone who finally realizes they like you. And that’s going to be your situation.”
