TLC star Shauna Rae Lesick, 26, has given audiences a unique glimpse into her world through I Am Shauna Rae. Childhood brain cancer treatments affected her pituitary gland, resulting in dwarfism.
Due to the damage to her pituitary gland from brain cancer treatment, Shauna stopped growing, reaching only 3 feet 10 inches — the height of an average eight-year-old. Despite this challenge, she remains resilient and continues striving forward.
Her reality show offers viewers a window into her daily struggles, from routine activities to social interactions.
One of her biggest hurdles is forming relationships, particularly romantic ones. Because of her youthful appearance, many people mistakenly assume she is much younger than her actual age.
Shauna Rae Credit: (Instagram/ @thereal_shaunarae99)
Shauna appeared on The Unplanned Podcast to share personal aspects of her life with hosts Matta and Abby Howard. During the conversation, she opened up about her two-year relationship but opted to keep her boyfriend’s identity private.
She explained that her choice stemmed from a desire to protect him from potential business repercussions and the harsh scrutiny of online criticism.
“Neither of us mind if his face is public,” Shauna explained. “But I’m more concerned for him because he has a solid career. Since he has a good job, I want to make sure nothing negatively impacts his workplace.”
She noted that her own employer is fully aware of her identity and career, accepting her without hesitation. Her concerns highlight how unpredictable online discussions can have both personal and professional consequences.
The couple chooses to keep their relationship private out of fear of being misrepresented or unfairly judged by others. Shauna struggles with trusting how society will view her partner, given the common prejudices surrounding interracial relationships.
She explained that the way people perceive things on social media often differs from the reality she knows about her boyfriend. Because of this, she wants to preserve his true character, regardless of what happens in their relationship.
The couple wants to stay private
Credit: (Instagram/ @thereal_shaunarae99)
Their protective stance reflects the challenges they face, as people often form opinions based solely on appearances.
Shauna recalled the harsh backlash her former acquaintance, Dan Swygart, experienced despite their friendship. After appearing on her TV show, Dan received intense public criticism—even death threats—without any justified reason.
He openly condemned the backlash, calling the criticism of their friendship “absolutely disgusting.” He also stressed that Shauna “deserves to have relationships” without her partners facing online harassment.
After experiencing threats to her safety, Shauna has become even more cautious, taking extra measures to protect her privacy from unwanted intrusion.
Shauna takes extra steps to shield her private life
Credit: (Instagram/ @thereal_shaunarae99)
She advises her partners to disregard online comments, as they can be harmful to mental health. In her view, students and the public need better education on these issues, making the situation even more disheartening for her.
“No one online takes her concerns seriously. They can’t see the real person they’d meet because they’ve never encountered me in person. I’m just small. I’m just a little person.”
“Despite public opinions, Shauna prefers to keep her happiness between herself and her partner. She took to Instagram to celebrate her beloved, wishing him a happy second birthday and two years of friendship. ‘I love you dearly, son—we’ve shared an incredible journey together.'”
The couple’s photos were shared with her boyfriend’s face deliberately concealed to maintain his anonymity.
A majority of Shauna’s followers support her decision to keep her relationship private. They point out that her choice to shield her partner isn’t out of embarrassment, but rather to safeguard his privacy.
Shauna’s fans approve her preference Credit: (Instagram/ @thereal_shaunarae99)
Many believe that anyone close to her must be fond of children, which is why she keeps her relationship private.
Continue supporting her joy and allow them their space. One person remarked, ‘Given how the internet treated your previous relationship, I’d keep him hidden too.
Shauna’s story highlights a larger issue of how societal views can affect personal relationships, particularly for those who don’t conform to traditional expectations.
She takes immediate action to protect the identity of someone she loves, demonstrating her commitment to shielding those she cares about from harm.
Throughout her life as a celebrity, Shauna remains steadfast in her protective decisions. ‘I will keep his face hidden because marriage and a permanent partnership are the only situations where revealing him feels right,’ she asserted confidently.
She safeguards her relationship by maintaining privacy and works to challenge people’s judgments based on appearance.
As fans consistently probe into personal lives, Shauna Rae Lesick demonstrates the importance of privacy and decency as fundamental values in human relationships.
