Five months after his unexpected rise to internet fame, the viral “Golden Retriever Boy” has broken his silence regarding his experience on the dating show Pusuan or Laruan, his struggles with public scrutiny, and his personal growth.
In a heartfelt message shared via social media, Josh, the young man who gained notoriety for his self-proclaimed “Golden Retriever Boy” persona, admitted he was unprepared for the level of attention and criticism that followed his appearance on the show.
“It’s been 5 months since sumali ako sa show. I did not expect this to go viral multiple times over. Pero I will be addressing it now,” he began.
Josh first became an internet sensation after describing himself as a “golden retriever boy,” a term used to characterize affectionate, loyal, and playful men. His unique introduction sparked both memes and discussions online, with netizens split between admiration and critique. Some found his confidence endearing, while others viewed his behavior as awkward and exaggerated.
Despite the mixed reactions, Josh expressed gratitude to those who reached out with words of encouragement. “Salamat sa mga nagsend ng supportive messages. Even those who gave constructive criticism na-appreciate ko,” he said, acknowledging that while he couldn’t reply to everyone, he read each message and found them helpful.
However, the journey wasn’t easy. Josh admitted that his initial reaction to the overwhelming attention took a toll on his mental health. “I let myself spiral down because of my hurt ego. I did not take the rejections well, and add the fact na di ako sanay sa camera so I failed to compose myself,” he revealed.
To cope with the emotional impact of his viral fame, Josh is taking steps to improve himself. He shared that he is currently on a social media detox to focus on his well-being. “I am working on myself and taking a social media detox for my mental health. I promise I will do better,” he wrote, adding that while joining the show was a challenging experience, it ultimately became a learning opportunity for him. “In a way, blessing na rin na sumali ako sa show because it helped me learn this lesson. I don’t want to act the same way pag may partner/pamilya na ako.”
The viral sensation also addressed the hate messages he received. “Ang sakit sa simula pero I’m proud of myself to say they don’t affect me now,” he admitted. However, due to the overwhelming attention, he announced plans to create a new, more private social media account reserved for close friends.
