Sign up here for The Tea to read exclusive celebrity interviews with stars like Jacob Sartorius, Maddie Ziegler and Willow Shields!
One week after “13 Reasons Why” debuted on Netflix, series executive producer Selena Gomez now has matching tattoos with two stars of the show: Tommy Dorfman, who plays Ryan, and Alisha Boe, who plays Jessica.
The trio’s matching ink is a semicolon, which has a powerful message behind it.
Dorfman explained over Instagram how the semicolon ― the symbol of the mental health care nonprofit Project Semicolon ― represents the end of one thought and the beginning of another. In the context of the show, which revolves around a high school student’s decision to kill herself, the symbol represents the “beginning of another chapter in life, in lieu of ending your life.”
Dorfman also shared his personal experience with addiction and depression in his Instagram post, making the tattoos all the more meaningful:
“I struggled with addiction and depression issues through high school and early college. I reached out and asked for help. At the time, I thought my life was over, I thought I’d never live past the age of 21. Today I’m grateful to be alive, in this new chapter of life in recovery, standing with my colleagues and friends, making art that helps other people.”
Boe shared a moving caption of her own to explain more about Project Semicolon, which was founded by Amy Bleuel in 2013 with the stated goal to provide “hope for those suffering from depression, thoughts of suicide, addiction, and self-injury.” Bleul died by suicide on March 24, Wisconsin ABC affiliate WBAY reported.
“I have received so much love and support from all of you who are watching 13 Reasons Why,” she wrote, directing anyone in need toward the short documentary “Beyond the Reasons” and other mental health care information.
“13 Reasons Why” Season 1 is now available on Netflix.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for theNational
Suicide Prevention Lifeline.You can also text HELLO to 741-741 for free,
24-hour support from theCrisis Text Line.Outside of the U.S., please
visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database
of resources.
Before You Go
