LokiThe film’s Jack Veal opens up about his experience of homelessness amidst his struggles with mental health.
The 17-year-old actor — who played Kid Loki on Disney+ Loki — shared on TikTok that he is currently living in a trailer in London after allegedly escaping an abusive situation at home.
“Hi. I’m a famous actor, I’m 17 years old and I’m homeless…”, he claimed. “I didn’t talk much about what was happening in my life, but I think it’s time to reveal the truth. Not to go into too much detail, I was abused at home. It was physical violence, emotional abuse and the like. ”
He claimed he didn’t have a “very good upbringing” in England, adding: “I struggled with my mental health. I have autism, ADHD, and am being screened for bipolar disorder and psychosis.”
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Veala’s father did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
After noting that staying with his grandparents was not an option because his grandfather was “terminally ill,” he said, “I have nowhere to go. And I need help.”
Veal claimed that social services “refused” to help him and that he became homeless as a result.
Jack Veal in Loki.
courtesy of Marvel Studios
“I’m desperate. I’m currently sleeping in a trailer that has broken windows, it’s unsafe and I’m two hours away from my job, which means I struggle to get to work every day.” he said. “Life is hard, I have nothing else.”
He then asked viewers to “spread the message about how the government treats children”, before giving a glimpse of the inside of his trailer.
Veal concluded the video with a plea to followers, saying, “I need help. You don’t have to pay me anything, I don’t need anything. I just need you to make this as viral as possible.”
Veal and a representative for Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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In the following video on December 2, the actor — who also appeared in the The end of the fucking world, Tin Star and Periphery — he thanked fans for their support before remarking, “The goal here is to get help from the people who should be giving it: social services.”
Veal later shared a third video detailing his struggles in the winter months.
“I’ve been homeless since I was 17 and I’m sleeping in a trailer tonight,” he explained. “It’s getting colder, things are getting harder, I’m putting pressure on the social service, but there’s no promise what will happen.”
Finally, Veal gave his followers a somewhat promising update on December 3rd. He shared: “I’ve just had a call from social services saying they want a meeting with me tomorrow to potentially place me in foster care, support and accommodation.”
“I don’t know what you guys did, but it got out and it really, really helped me and they’re doing something now,” Veal said as he fought back tears. “They’re actually doing something so god bless them all of you.”
“I’ll let you know how the meeting goes and no promises, but this is the first time I’ve been considered for placement so thank you, thank you very much. I love you all,” he added.
However, after the meeting, Veal said on December 4 that it “didn’t go well” on TikTok.
“I’m 17 and street homeless. I went to a meeting and they told me I have to be street homeless again or go back home, which they can’t do until they find me foster care, which could take a while,” he said Veal. “They’re telling me days, which will probably be weeks because they’re lying, so I’ll have to be homeless.”
He claimed he was “placed under Section 20,” which is part of England’s Children Act 1989, the legislative framework for protecting children in England and Wales. He stated that despite the “evidence” he provided, he has not yet been given accommodation.
“So I don’t know what to do. Again, this is another call for help. I had hope, but again they don’t do anything. They want to put me in foster care, but in the meantime, I have to stay on the street,” he explained.
Councilor Michelle Safi-Ngongo, executive member for children, youth and families in Islington, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
However, in a statement to TooFab, she addressed the allegations, saying: “The safety and well-being of our residents is a top priority and we are determined to ensure that the young people of Islington grow up in a safe environment.”
“We are working hard to find immediate support and longer-term housing for Jack,” the statement continued. “At no point did we tell Jack he had to be homeless. We are urgently trying to secure a place for Jack to stay tonight.”
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Veal’s messages come more than a year after the season two finale Loki premiered on Disney+.
In addition to acting, Veal now works as a personal trainer. In an Instagram post on Nov. 21, he shared, “I’ve been away for a while working on my career and life. I am now a level 3 qualified personal trainer and still follow up on my acting endeavors when I can.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the text crisis line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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