Podcast Summary: Cancelled with Tana Mongeau & Brooke Schofield

Episode: 124
Title: A Conversation with Kayla Malik on Life After Speaking Out About an Abusive Relationship
Release Date: June 20, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest (01:24 - 02:10)

In this heartfelt episode of Cancelled, hosts Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield welcome their guest, Kayla Malik. The hosts express their excitement and pride in having Kayla share her personal journey, particularly her experience in speaking out about an abusive relationship. Tana emphasizes Kayla's authenticity and her ability to transform a painful experience into a movement that empowers others.

Tana Malik (02:05): "You were able to turn something so unfortunate into such a beautiful movement. I hope you feel so proud of yourself."

2. Public Disclosure and Its Immediate Effects (02:10 - 04:05)

Kayla discusses the daunting process of publicly sharing her abuse story. She recounts technical challenges she faced while uploading her video series titled "He Doesn't Love You," including losing files and uploading errors. Despite these obstacles, the impact of her videos proved significant in raising awareness and encouraging others to leave abusive relationships.

Kayla Malik (03:20): "If I post this and nobody sees it, I feel like it didn't do what it meant to do... but then it was just so heavy."

3. Dealing with Social Media Backlash and Online Abuse (04:05 - 07:01)

After her videos gained traction, Kayla received overwhelming support but also faced harsh criticism and negative comments from individuals who dismissed her vulnerability. She expresses the emotional toll of reading derogatory remarks questioning the authenticity of her feelings and the sincerity of her actions.

Kayla Malik (05:39): "People think they can just critique your personality and have anything they want."

4. The Abusive Relationship: Unveiling the Truth (07:01 - 16:13)

Kayla delves deeper into the dynamics of her abusive relationship. She describes how her partner, Evan Johnson, systematically undermined her self-esteem and controlled her financially and emotionally. Friends and family began to see the changes in Kayla, prompting her to recognize the toxicity of the relationship. The revelation led to a painful but necessary breakup.

Kayla Malik (15:07): "He hates everything I love about myself. That's when I realized this dude was serious."

5. Legal Actions and Consequences for the Abuser (16:13 - 25:12)

Following the breakup, Kayla took legal action against Evan for domestic violence. She details the challenges within the judicial system, including limitations on transferring charges between states. Ultimately, Evan was sentenced to 22 days in jail for probation violations and other charges. Kayla expressed relief that his actions were being held accountable, preventing him from harming others in the future.

Kayla Malik (23:06): "He's always wanted his name to trend, and now it is—for being a woman beater."

6. Healing and Personal Growth Post-Abuse (25:12 - 36:27)

Kayla shares her ongoing healing journey, highlighting the difficulties of overcoming trauma and rebuilding trust in relationships. She acknowledges the lasting impact of her past experiences on her current behavior, such as becoming defensive in new relationships. However, she remains optimistic about her ability to heal and find healthy connections in the future.

Kayla Malik (30:11): "You are in an era where you're healing in ways you never thought possible."

7. Navigating Online Harassment and Bot Manipulation (36:27 - 55:00)

The conversation shifts to the pervasive issue of online harassment and the use of bots to manipulate public perception. Kayla and Kayla discuss how both she and her friend James Charles discovered that their social media platforms were being manipulated with fake comments to sway public opinion—negative for Kayla and positive for James. They explore the challenges of combating such tactics and the emotional strain it places on individuals seeking to tell their truth.

Kayla Malik (52:02): "It's like a website where you can buy comments to shift the narrative. It's the final boss of online manipulation."

8. Future Aspirations and Community Support (55:00 - 74:46)

Towards the end of the episode, Kayla expresses her desire to create a short film that portrays her experiences, symbolizing her journey through abuse and healing. The hosts and Kayla discuss potential collaborative projects and the importance of supporting each other's creative endeavors. They emphasize the value of community and authentic connections in personal growth and overcoming adversity.

Kayla Malik (67:36): "I would love to act out what I went through to symbolize my journey."

9. Closing Remarks and Messages of Support (74:46 - End)

In the final moments, the hosts and Kayla exchange heartfelt messages, reaffirming their support and admiration for Kayla's courage and resilience. They highlight the importance of staying true to oneself amidst public scrutiny and online negativity, encouraging listeners to focus on their own healing and authenticity.

Tana Malik (75:31): "You're messy, unapologetically yourself... keep speaking your truth."

Notable Quotes:

• Tana Malik (02:05): "You were able to turn something so unfortunate into such a beautiful movement."

• Kayla Malik (03:20): "If I post this and nobody sees it, I feel like it didn't do what it meant to do."

• Kayla Malik (15:07): "He hates everything I love about myself."

• Kayla Malik (30:11): "You are in an era where you're healing in ways you never thought possible."

• Kayla Malik (52:02): "It's like a website where you can buy comments to shift the narrative."

• Kayla Malik (67:36): "I would love to act out what I went through to symbolize my journey."

This episode offers a profound exploration of the challenges faced by individuals who publicly disclose experiences of abuse. Through Kayla Malik's candid sharing, listeners gain insight into the complexities of healing, the pervasive nature of online harassment, and the importance of authenticity and community support in overcoming personal trauma.