Anthony Field, beloved Blue Wiggle, brought us endless smiles as children, and now reminds us that it’s okay to cry as adults.
After opening up about his career-long battle with depression in 2017, Field stepped up as an ambassador for Politix’s partnership with Movember 2021, encouraging conversations around men’s health.
He traded in his blue skivvy for a sharp suit styled with the words ‘I cry like a boss’, his chosen message for Politix’s Worn to Be Heard campaign.
“You might think bottling up is a brave thing to do, but letting it out is even braver,” Field tells us.
While he believes there remains a “man up” stigma, the entertainer is happy to report that the Aussie population has come a long way.
“It’s sensational! I’ve had men approach me now, knowing I’m receptive, to tell me how they feel. It needs to become normal for a man to talk to another man about depression.
“No one ever knows what another person is going through unless they talk about it,” he said, reflecting on his own battle with mental health. “I could have a big smile on my face, but behind closed doors I’d be struggling – and that’s anybody.
“Years ago, my brother laughed at me when I said I was feeling so sad and didn’t know why.
“‘How can you be sad?’ he said, ‘You’re popular, you’re successful.’ I understand, but sometimes it’s just the chemistry inside your brain. No matter how good things seem, you can still be sad. We had a good talk about it.”
Despite his deep struggles with depression, Field assured that he had never had a “bad day” while performing onstage with the Wiggles.
“I never had a problem on stage,” he smiled. “Never, ever. Something I learnt was, if I played my music, it just gets me in a beautiful mood. That’s one of my tools of the trade to stop me from spiralling down.”
Field advises men this Movember to seek professional help, as well as to have an honest chat with friends.
“People who help you, really help you, let you feel comfortable with your answers. They realise that there is no right or wrong answer, and that every person is different.
“Try to make them to make them feel safe and loved. I think that’s a really good place to start.”
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