Shauna Rae, star of TLC’s I Am Shauna Rae, looks like a child due to a rare condition caused by childhood cancer treatments — but she’s a grown woman. Now 25, Shauna is opening up about the uncomfortable and disturbing reality of dating in a world where some men are attracted to her because of how young she looks.
“It’s scary. I’ve had to question people’s intentions constantly,” she revealed. “Some guys don’t see me, they just see someone they think they can manipulate.”
Shauna says she was warned from a young age to be careful — and now she’s sharing her truth to raise awareness and protect others. 💔
She’s 25 — But Most People Think She’s 8 😔💔
Shauna Rae may look like a little girl, but she’s actually a 25-year-old woman navigating life, love, and independence in a world that constantly underestimates her.
Standing just 3’10” and weighing around 50 lbs, Shauna’s appearance is the result of a rare condition caused by childhood brain cancer and intense chemotherapy treatments that affected her growth.
Now, she’s opening up about the very real dangers she faces when dating — from being infantilized to attracting the wrong kind of attention. “Some people don’t see me as a grown woman,” Shauna explains, “and that can be scary.”
The Treatment That Saved Her Life Also Changed It Forever 💔
As a child, Shauna Rae bravely battled brain cancer—and while chemotherapy saved her life, it left behind permanent effects.
The treatment damaged her pituitary gland — a tiny but powerful gland in the brain that controls hormones tied to growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Because of this, Shauna’s growth was permanently stunted.
Now at 3’10”, she’s even shorter than the average 8-year-old, despite being in her mid-20s — a reality that shapes nearly every part of her life, from dating to independence.
Shauna Rae revealed that her parents warned her to be wary of people’s dating intentions from a young age (Instagram/@thereal_shaunarae99)
From Long Island to Living Rooms Across America 📺💫
Shauna Rae gave the world a window into her extraordinary life through her hit reality show I Am Shauna Rae — and in doing so, she’s built a powerful online community of fans who admire her strength, humor, and unfiltered honesty.
“Are You a Predator?” — Shauna Rae Gets Real About the Dark Side of Dating While Looking Like a Child 👀💔
Shauna Rae, the 25-year-old star of I Am Shauna Rae, may take life with a sense of humor (her IG bio literally says, “I listened when my Mama told me to not grow up.”)—but behind the jokes lies a serious reality.
Standing just 3’10” and weighing around 50 lbs due to childhood cancer treatments that stunted her growth, Shauna has the appearance of a child—something that brings a whole set of dangers most adults never have to think about.
In a recent episode of The Unplanned Podcast, Shauna opened up about how her mom Patricia and stepdad Mark had very real conversations with her growing up—especially about dating.
“They were like, ‘Look — any guy that’s interested in you, you have to read into them… because there’s a chance it’s about your size,’” she shared.
That harsh truth stuck with her.
“I was scared to date. I was scared to flirt. I was scared to even be asked out,” she admitted.
On her first day of school, when a boy asked her out in the cafeteria, her instant reaction was:
👉 “Are you a predator?”
Shauna’s story is a powerful reminder of what it’s like living in a world that often judges—and sometimes targets—people for how they look. She’s not just surviving—she’s speaking out, staying smart, and owning her voice.
he reality TV star is in a relationship but has not revealed the identity of her partner
Shauna Rae says her parents warned her early on that people might view her differently when it comes to love.
“They told me—build a friendship first. Looks fade. You want someone who sticks around when you’re grouchy and old,” she recalled.
Now 25, Shauna’s in a relationship—but keeps it low-key:
🗣️ “We don’t care if people see his face, but he has a great job, and I just don’t want any drama affecting that.”
Even though his job knows who she is and totally supports her, she’s playing it safe. 💼💘
