After the death of a close friend, photographer Glenn Marsden decided to raise awareness for mental health. His Imperfectly Perfect campaign has been a major success, roping in both local and international celebrities.
How did the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign begin?
Initially it was about disrupting social media, after finding out that a friend of mine in the UK had taken his life. On social media he appeared to live the highlife with the cars, career and holidays, but people weren’t aware he had emotional struggles. Also, I’ve been in the fitness industry for over twenty years and when I turned thirty, I started comparing myself to people on Instagram, and developed body dysmorphia. So the campaign resulted through my overall passion to highlight mental health. Not just on the premise of men’s mental health either, but to tell the story of many people.
The image people portray on social media seems to often be a mask to their reality
Yeah, so many hide behind the portrayal of an almost perfect life, but it ultimately comes back to people’s own reflection and self worth. They try to portray this perfect life for others to see, and that’s where the name Imperfectly Perfect came from. It actually came about when I was shooting Dan Ewing from Home and Away. We were having a conversation about this and he said, “It’s so true, it’s so imperfectly perfect,” and that’s how it stuck.
Along with Dan, you’ve photographed and captured the emotions of many of our past Straight Mates including Travis Jeffery, Grant Denyer, Nick Bracks and Rob Mills. Has anyone’s story particularly stood out?
All of them are so unique, which is what I like to convey. Everyone’s stories are so different, yet have acommonality. Grant Denyer really went into depth about his story, which got quite deep and dark. The thing is, none of these people knew me, and for them to connect with some one they didn’t know and share their stories makes me feel honoured.
You’ve also taken the campaign to the U.S. Can you explain a bit about that?
After the first three months, the campaign was featured in the Australian media and then someone in the US, who had been severely affected by a suicide in their family, reached out and we got talking. So I flew over there. I didn’t know anybody, but I started networking and the campaign took off to the point where I featured on four TV networks. I began getting names like Dominic Purcell (Prison Break), Taja V Simpson (The Oval), Christina Moses (A Million Little Things) Justin Guarini (American Idol), Debra Wilson (American Dad!), Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek) and Wes Geer (Korn).
And the original Baywatch cast too?
Yes, Jeremy Jackson who played Hobie Buchannon on Baywatch is a mate of mine, so when I was in LA I caught up with him and he want on a few shows to promote it. At the height of his time on Baywatch he was affected by addiction and his soul purpose now is to help people in recovery. He put it out to his original cast mates and Gena Lee Nolin, Jason Simmons, Nicole Eggert and Traci Bingham all got involved. We also reached out to Pamela Anderson, but she’s hard to get to, even for Jeremy!
Throughout the campaign have you experienced many LGBTIQ people’s stories?
Rain Dove, who has a huge profile in the US, came on. They’ve gone through a severe situation of adversity and depression, and we also had Pol’ and Patrick who have a prime time TV show on Amazon called Gown and Out in Beverly Hills. They’re huge fashion designers in Hollywood and dress everyone from Miss America to the Oscars. Pol’s story came from when he was opening one of his fashion shows, where he went out the back and somebody attacked him. He was someone who was so extraverted, but that attack changed the person he was. They brought me onto their show in the episode where they tell that story.
“My wife’s best friend is gay and he actually introduced us.”
Do you have many gay mates?
I have a lot. My wife’s best friend is gay and he introduced us. He was the best man at our wedding. We lost touch after we got married and couldn’t find him for years, but we finally caught up again and did a podcast together on my website.
Has anyone ever come out to you?
I had a friend once post on Facebook that he was in a relationship, which was unusual for him. He used to come out with us all the time but was never with anyone. When I reached out to congratulate him, he said it was a bit complicated. He told me he’d started a relationship with a guy and I said, “Why would that matter?” At the end of the day love is love. Who are we to judge who anyone falls in love with?
Have you ever partied at a gay bar?
Oh yes, my friends and I would start off our night partying on the top floor of the Colombian on Oxford Street, then we’d end it at Arc which has the best music ever!
And of course you’ve been hit on?
(Laughing) I was usually with my ‘to be’ wife, so I never really got hit on, but I did get hit on at the gym in the US. It was in West Hollywood and I’m a pretty open book who’ll talk to anybody. He asked if he could give me his number and I was like “What for?” Another part of my naivety! Then it suddenly clicked, but I was quite honoured that this guy found me attractive. Neither of us was embarrassed and we had a laugh.
Do people ever mistake you for Ronan Keating?
Yes, I get Ronan Keating and Simon Pegg from Mission Impossible and Star Trek! At an LA television event a guy even came up to me saying “Simon!” I actually ran into Ronan Keating while I was shopping in the UK. I was quite blaze, and said, “Do I know you? Do you go to the gym?” He was like “No mate, I’m from Ireland!”
If you were gay, who would be the one?
Ryan Reynolds. He’s charismatic, good looking with a good rig, and comes across as down to earth.
“At the end of the day love is love. Who are we to judge who anyone falls in love with?”
What song gets you onto the dancefloor?
An anthem like Don’t Hold Back by The Potbelleez, which I used to play in my fitness classes. It’s quite ironic because Jonny Sonic is now working with me on the campaign. I told him the other week that his song got my class pumped up!
“He asked if he could give me his number and I was like “What for?” Another part of my naivety!”
Who’s your music diva?
Beyoncé. She’s got it all and Crazy In Love is my favourite. I saw Destiny’s Child in their early years when I went to Top of the Pops in the UK. They sang No, No, No and no one knew who they were, but they blew us away.
Who’s the most famous person you’ve come to meet?
Last year at Gold’s Gym I worked out next to Arnold Schwarzenegger everyday. He got to know me by name and on Thanksgiving came over and shook my hand. That made my year!
Is there any particular person who really inspires you?
The motivational speaker Gary Vaynerchuk. He’s an entrepreneur who doesn’t take no for an answer. I implemented a lot from listening to him, including his attitude in reaching out to people. Gary is very passionate in what he does and it’s why he’s so successful. I attribute half of the success of my campaign to his influence.
In an era of Coronavirus, what do you think is the best way to stay positive?
From my personal experience and from talking to clinical psychologists and medical professionals, stay connected as much as you can. The thing with mental health is that when people are going through emotional struggles, they tend to isolate themselves and we need to watch that in people’s patterns. Now that we’ve all been thrown into isolation, we need to engage with our friends, whether online or by picking up the phone. You also have to pull yourself back from what you read on social media. When people are anxious, they tend to post the sensationalized media articles, which in turn causes problems. It’s like “I’m scared, so I want you to be scared too, so I don’t feel alone”. Make sure what you read is from a reputable source like the World Health Organization.
Are you a briefs, fitted boxers or freeballing man?
Weekend’s it’s freeballing but during the week when out and about, you’ve got to be conservative, so then it’s fitted briefs!
To find out more visit: imperfectlyperfectcampaign.org
If you, or anyone you know, are suffering from depression, please contact:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636