A few days after winning a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy was asked by an NBC reporter who his “crush” was. It was the day after Valentine’s Day, and Kenworthy wanted to say his boyfriend. Instead, he shied away from outing himself before an international audience and said, “Miley Cyrus.”
So cute <333 @MileyCyrus @guskenworthy pic.twitter.com/Wvh1vKx4vt
— WELOVEYOUMISHA (@alwaysklancespn) March 5, 2014
Kenworthy’s admission earned him the attention and eventual friendship of Cyrus. The pop star fawned over photos of Kenworthy and the four puppies he rescued from Russia with his boyfriend who was conveniently left out of the story. But the fact that he lied about his sexuality in front of such a huge audience haunted the skier. “I love Miley Cyrus, she’s great,” Kenworthy told Time. “But I just remember feeling very dishonest.”
The following year, after winning a fifth straight Association of Freeskiing Professionals overall world title, Kenworthy came out in ESPN the Magazine.
I am gay. pic.twitter.com/086ayvChq2
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) October 22, 2015
Since coming out, Kenworthy has earned sponsorships from Visa, Procter & Gamble, United Airlines, Deloitte, and has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign. In February, Kenworthy plans to compete in both slopestyle and halfpipe skiing at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
As Time and Outsports reported, Kenworthy was poised to be the likely contender as first openly gay male to compete in the Winter Olympics.
“The thought of being the first openly gay male ever to compete in the Winter Olympics — I totally embrace that,” Kenworthy told Time. “I so badly want to inspire that community and do well for them. It’s fucking cool.”
However, other openly LGBTQ male athletes, such as Canadian skater Eric Radford and U.S. skater Adam Rippon, may officially qualify for the Olympics ahead of Kenworthy. We may get to see multiple gay men breaking the mold as “first” collectively.
While Kenworthy would be proud to represent his country in the Olympics, he says he would plan on skipping the traditional Team USA trip to the White House. “I have no interest in faking support,” Kenworthy said. A major reason for his decision is Trump’s attempts to ban transgender people from serving in the military. “It shows more courage to leave the house as a trans person than Trump has ever had to show.”
Update and correction 1/9/2018: Revisions to this story were made to clarify that other openly gay male athletes are also poised to compete at the 2018 Winter Games and may share the title of “first.”
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.