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NRL standout Terrell May has spoken out about a recent leak of an intimate video that led him to seek legal counsel, as well as a social media move that sparked rampant speculation among rugby fans.
At 26, May is gearing up for his sophomore season with the Wests Tigers, having transferred to the club from the Roosters.
Last season, the dynamic prop was honored with the Kelly-Barnes Medal, and he has expressed a willingness to remain with the Tigers in the iconic orange, black, and white for the duration of his NRL career.
This commitment allows May to turn his attention to other passions, such as vlogging, streaming, and podcasting.
“I just feel like last year I was moving too quickly,” the front-rower shared. “I think I needed to slow down, take baby steps, and reset.”
NRL star Terrell May has addressed the intimate video leak that saw him contact lawyers – and the move he made on social media which resulted in some wild rumours from footy fans
The Samoan international is preparing for his second season with the Wests Tigers, after joining the joint venture club from the Roosters
‘I wasn’t on my Insta (Instagram) for like two months, wasn’t doing Mayday (podcast) for two months, I was just completely locked in (to footy) and had a big rest because I felt like I drained myself last year.’
After May seemingly disappeared from social media, some fans feared he wanted out from the club.
The Samoan international dismissed those rumours, maintaining he ‘didn’t want to be in the spotlight’ during the off-season, which explained why he asked the Tigers to keep him off their social media posts.
May’s younger brother Taylan joined the Tigers in June initially on a train-and-trial deal, and his impressive form in the centres saw a contract extension for 2026 and 2027.
It has been a long-term goal of the siblings to play alongside their older brother Tyrone – and it is understood the halfback with Hull KR in the Super League is ready to return to the NRL, when he won a premiership with the Panthers in 2021.
Last year, Terrell May revealed he came close to taking his own life in 2024 when he was still contracted to the Roosters.
Speaking with his brother Taylan on the Mayday podcast, May opened up on how a terrifying bout of depression took him to the brink.
‘I was driving to Roosters training, I told him (coach Trent Robinson) I’m quitting,’ he said.
May (pictured, right) insists he has ‘moved past’ the recent leaking of an intimate video – and in good news for Tigers supporters, they can expect to see May’s online increase after he hired a team to run his social media channels
‘I’m turning the car around to ring Robbo to tell him I’m quitting. I’m done. I was just done, with everything.
‘I called my manager and I told him, I’m not playing anymore, rip my contract up, I don’t care anymore.
‘I don’t know what happened, it was just one of those days where I was just depressed as.’
May admitted suicide had crossed his mind during his darkest time.
‘As bad as it sounds, I wanted to properly drive my car (into a wall),’ he said.
‘I was on the M4, I wanted to drive my car into the wall, bro.’
May added that religion helped him get through the darkest days and he constantly turned to his faith for strength.
‘To be honest, God fixed many problems in my life,’ he said.
‘Every time I’m feeling down, I know there’s one person I can count on – and that’s him.’
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