Bulldogs star Bailey Smith opens up on his crazy rise in popularity

Bailey Smith has fast become the AFL’s hottest property, but it’s come with perks, downsides and at least one crazy offer.

Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has opened up about the spotlight, his mental health and the nude picture of him that was going viral on grand final day.

Smith, who is on the verge of becoming the AFL’s most followed player on social media, said he had even been offered $50,000 to sleep with someone.

Smith set the record straight on the picture by posting the original, which he said was taken off his Facebook account.

“There was a fake nude of me that got shared around Australia,’’ he told the Common Chaos podcast.

“This was like the day of the grand final, the biggest game of my life, and the boys showed me. They knew it was Photoshopped … it was weird. It got sent around to everyone while I was playing and then I addressed it after.

“I stopped looking at (my DMs) two weeks ago. I’m even getting these now, I don’t know how they got my number. Sends a screenshot of his bank account, $50,000 to sleep with this person. It doesn’t stop going. Then I’ve had the stock standard (offers).”

The original photo that ended up as a fake nude of Bailey Smith.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Bailey Smith.

Smith, 20, is known as “Bazlenka” and has more than 334,000 followers on Instagram. Only Dustin Martin has more, with 338,000.

He is now in Queensland with new friends and podcast hosts Ashton Wood and Cartia Mallan but despite speculation, he says he is single.

Smith admits he has struggled with eating disorders, panic attacks and anxiety.

“I don’t know if it’s a good coping mechanism but I just don’t deal with it,’’ Smith said of the attention.

“I acknowledge it, I know it’s there, it is the elephant in my brain but I ignore it as much as I can. The things that ground me each day, I go get my coffee, going to the beach, my best friends, getting dinner. I focus on what I want to do each day and what I want to get out of myself.

“I don’t open up that much because I’m scared of being judged and it’s just something that’s got to do with me. Fear of just being taken advantage of, as well. You can’t just open up to anyone. So I don’t do that but it’s been so refreshing over the past couple of days just to talk to you guys and not feel alone.

“There are so many people around you and wanting this and that from you, it’s so easy to feel empty inside, as dark as that sounds.”

The young gun at the 2021 Brownlow Medal Count. Picture: Dylan Burns

Smith, who has a unique look, with mullet and moustache and enviable physique, said football players often had a stigma attached to them.

“That whole jock and toxic masculinity thing, especially with football players the way they are perceived, the way they treat other people — even just women — they think they’re God’s gift etc.

“That’s why I’m glad you guys said it was refreshing to meet up because we are just normal and want to have a great conversation. We’re not into the whole scene that whatever we do it doesn’t define us, we just want to be normal and respectful. We really thrive off having a good conversation and a few drinks.”

Smith said he learnt to deal with his emotions at a young age.

Smith’s famous locks fly at a training session in Perth before the grand final. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s such a big thing, I still feel vulnerable to this day talking about it. The more you do it feels so natural … it almost empowers you,’’ he said.

“I just love love.

“Just for my day-to-day and something that helps me when I’m having a panic attack or just having a down day: the sun will rise tomorrow. Understanding that whatever happens, the sun will rise. Life goes on. It’s not that important. You’re gonna die one day. It’s such a small, minuscule part of your life, just live it like it is.

“The thing that opened up so many doors for me is, I don’t know if it’s cliche, is actually working on myself and I started taking medication because that’s something I didn’t do for such a long time. (You think) I don’t want to be weak, I can do it myself, it’ll be so much rewarding if I just get through it.

“I bit the bullet and understood and accepted that I wasn’t right at the time. Opened up so many doors for me, in terms of school, my education went through the roof and then football, that’s been my dream since I was a kid. My work ethic, everything just tied together.

“That vulnerability opens up so many doors.

“Think I was 15. It’s pretty young but I started being really in tune with how I’m feeling and why am I feeling this way.

“I was lucky because my mum was good at helping me do that. In terms of wanting to be successful, it helps you with what you want to do.”

Originally published as Bulldogs star Bailey Smith opens up on his crazy rise in popularity