Richard Gadd, the Emmy-winning creator and star of “Baby Reindeer,” graces the cover of GQ Hype in a shoot captured by Keir Laird (Mink MGMT) and styled by Kit Swann. Gadd’s feature details his journey from a struggling comedian to a celebrated storyteller, showcasing how narratives can change lives.
Richard Gadd for GQ Hype
“I wake up every morning, and I am just…I think the phrase is kind of—I feel windswept?” Gadd explains. “I almost don’t know. I just feel knocked off my feet,” he confesses, encapsulating the surreal nature of his recent triumphs.
Gadd’s career began in the comedy circuit, where his edgy, nervously energetic performances earned attention. “There’s almost nothing worse than dying on stage—it takes a bit of you every single time,” he recalls.
Yet, those bruising moments became the foundation of his art, leading him to explore performance as a form of healing. The turning point came when Gadd decided to channel his personal trauma into storytelling.
“I thought, well, that’s my only recourse left. I’ve tried all the therapies. Let’s try this,” the Loewe campaign star explains of his bold artistic pivot.
“Baby Reindeer” transcended its origins as a one-man show, sparking critical acclaim and cultural conversations about stalking, abuse, and the complexities of vulnerability.
“I think that every person has flaws, and every person has positives. It’s a bit morally challenging, and I wanted to get that kind of nuance back,” Gadd shares, reflecting on the emotional depth that defines his work.
Its impact was tangible—Gadd notes that some charities saw referral rates and website traffic rise by 200% following the show’s success.
As he looks ahead, Gadd approaches his future projects with cautious introspection. “I’ve given my life to the world as a sort of entity for people to pick apart and scrutinize, and… I think I might have to have my life for myself for a bit now,” he admits.
His next venture, the BBC project “Lions,” promises to showcase another facet of his creative genius. Richard Gadd’s rise is not only a story of artistic triumph, but also a testament to the strength found in vulnerability, making him one of the most compelling voices in contemporary storytelling.
