Child actor Jack Veal, who played Kid Loki in the first season of the Disney+ series Loki when he was 14, revealed he was homeless, allegedly due to mental and physical abuse at home.
The 17-year-old who also starred as the younger version of the main character played by Alex Lawther in the 2017 Netflix series, The End of the F**king World, made a TikTok video explaining his heartbreaking situation in the hopes it would go viral so he could receive assistance and be placed in a livable accommodation.
In the video, Veal told viewers:
"I'm a famous actor, I'm 17 and I'm homeless. You may know me from 'Loki', 'The End of the F***ing World,' or various other movies where I played important roles."
"I haven’t mentioned much about what’s been going on in my life, but I think it’s time to reveal the truth."
"Without delving too much into the details, I was abused at home. It was physical violence, emotional abuse and etcetera," he said.
Veal showed viewers his accommodation, an "unsafe" trailer in London with "smashed-in" windows, a two-hour commute to work at his job as a fitness instructor.
Veal noted that despite having a "very good upbringing" in England, he has "struggled with mental health."
He continued:
"I have autism, ADHD, and am being screened for bipolar and psychosis.”
The young actor said staying with his grandparents was not a viable option due to his grandfather being “terminally unwell."
He stated that British social services "refuses" to provide aid despite him being under 18 and explaining his situation, and he has "nowhere else to go. And I need help."
“It’s difficult. Life is hard. At the moment, I have nothing else," he said.
You can see the TikTok clip here.
Veal asked fans to "spread the message" to expose how the UK "government is treating kids."
He added:
"I need help. You don’t have to pay me anything, I don’t need anything. I just need you to make this go as viral as possible."
Fans boosted his message and also hoped he would get help soon.
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@jackvealfitness/TikTok
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The TikTok SOS showed promise.
Fans stepped up and answered his call to get him the first step to getting help.
On Tuesday, the emotional actor shared a follow-up video with temporary good news.
Veal said he received a call from social services to set up a meeting for accommodations and to get him into foster care.
He told viewers:
"I don't know what you guys have done but it's gotten out there, and it's really really helped me, and they're taking action now. They're actually doing something."
"So, God bless you all. Thank you so much."
He added:
"I'll let you know how the meeting goes and there's no promises, but this is the first time they've considered me for accommodation so thank you, thank you so much. I love you all."
Fans were relieved to hear things have turned a corner.
@jackvealfitness/TikTok
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Unfortunately, his next update wasn't one fans were hoping to hear.
In a December 4 TikTok clip, Veal said the meeting “didn’t go well."
He alleged:
"I'm 17 and street homeless. I went to the meeting and they've told me I need to be street homeless again or return home, which I can't do, until they find me a foster care placement, which might take a while."
"They're telling me days, which is probably gonna be weeks 'cause they lie, so I'm gonna have to be street homeless."
He said he was placed under Section 20, which refers to the UK Children Act 1989, a voluntary accommodation care with those who have parental responsibility for a child in need.
However, Veal said they have yet to accommodate him despite explaining "the evidence" he provided them.
"So I don't know what to do," he said, adding:
"Again, this is another call out for help. I had hope, but again, they're not doing anything. They want to put me in foster care, but in the meantime, I have to stay on streets."
Councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families in Islington, addressed Veal's allegations in a statement to TooFab, saying:
"The safety and wellbeing of our residents is a top priority, and we're determined to ensure that Islington's young people grow up in a safe environment."
"We are working hard to find both emergency support and a longer-term placement for Jack."
The statement added:
"We have not at any time told Jack that he needs to be street homeless. We are urgently trying to secure a place for Jack to stay tonight."
Fans did not give up hope in spreading awareness.
On Wednesday, Veal announced he was finally placed in a home.
With tears in his eyes, the 17-year-old said, "I finally got my placement, and it's amazing."
"I don't like crying on camera, it's weird...," he said and explained that the council called Veal after an interview with a journalist and informed him that they changed their minds and managed to get him an emergency placement.
"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gotten anything," he said.
He concluded with:
"It's been wild. It's been so wild. But thank you, thank you very much. Sending you all my love. God bless you all."
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