The Traitors US: Eric Nam's fight back from 'burn out, paralysis and panic disorder' sparked by K-pop stardom
Eric survived on just porridge at his lowestEric Nam is likely to be a new name to some living in the UK so, with his appearance in The Traitors US just landing on the BBC, we’ve taken a deep dive into who he really is.
The star is one of 23 celebrities who will be seen arriving at Ardross Castle in hope of scheming and plotting their way to a big money prize.
Eric is quickly selected by host Alan Cumming to be a Faithful and he seems more than happy to lean into the role.
So, as viewers dive in to The Traitors US thanks to the BBC, we take a look at who Eric Nam is, why he is famous and the reason behind his work as a mental health advocate.
The Traitors US: Who is Eric Nam?
Eric Nam was born in Georgia, US, in November 1988. This makes him 37 years old. He has four younger brothers and, after leaving university, embarked on a career as a business analyst in New York.
However, in 2011, Eric’s world took a dramatic turn. He posted a video of himself singing a cover of the song Lonely by South Korean girl group 2NE1 – and it went viral.
Eric was invited to South Korea’s capital Seoul to compete on the TV programme Star Audition: Birth of a Great Star 2. The show was very similar to The X Factor, with the popularity to match, and he finished in the top five.
Eric packed in his corporate job and signed with record giant B2M Entertainment. His music career took off and everyone in South Korea wanted a piece of him.
Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your television news
Eric Nam’s mental health breakdown
Eric moved to South Korea permanently but his workload was incredibly intense.
Unfortunately, his mental health suffered due to his newfound fame and the sheer pressure of constant promotional work. He cites that having to remain “bright, kind, fun” constantly got too much.
Eric has since revealed he suffered from “burnout, panic disorder and paralysis” as he hit rock bottom.
Speaking on the JAYKEEOUT YouTube channel, Eric said: “My mental health deteriorated while living in Korea, and my overall health collapsed.
“The pressure to always appear bright, kind, and fun was overwhelming. Inside, I was struggling immensely.”
Eric continued: “Even sitting down for a cup of coffee felt terrifying. My health worsened to the point where I ate only porridge for three months.
“I developed panic disorder, and experienced paralysis in my arms, fingers, neck disc issues, and legs. One side of my face even lost sensation.”
Eric took a big step back and left South Korea. He moved back home to the US and began working on his mental health recovery.
Eric did, however, continue with his music career but at his own pace. He soon grabbed the attention of American fans and hasn’t looked back. He’s been on world tours, acted in Japanese movies and become an advocate for mental health.
Mental health advocate
Eric is now co-founder of the digital media company DIVE Studios, which specialises in K-Pop and Gen Z content. He also created his own mental health app called Mindset.
In 2023, Eric won a TIME 100 Impact Award for raising awareness of mental health. The following year, he was handed Voice of Mental Health Award Honoree at The Jed Foundation Annual Gala.
He was also named Verywell Mind 25’s Mental Health Champion of 2024.
Eric is a firm believer that everyone should “let yourself rest, heal and recover” to maintain good mental health.
We’re looking forward to getting to know Eric better.
