ORLANDO Bloom, the boyfriend of Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr, is coming forward and talking about his struggle with dyslexia in hopes of helping others.“I always knew that I wasn’t stupid,” the actor told web site Access Hollywood at The Child Mind Institute lecture, part of the 2010 Adam Jeffrey Katz Memorial Lecture Series at The Rockefeller University in New York City.
"I felt like I was a smart kid, I just struggled with aspects of, of getting educated."
The 33-year-old actor offered up some words of encouragement for kids also struggling with dyslexia.
"You’re part of a very special club and it’s a gift and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you’re not good enough,” he said. "Don’t ever let anyone tell you that because you struggle with dyslexia that you’re never going to make it in life, because it’s simply not true.”
The Hollywood star, who was diagnosed with the learning disability when he was seven, said intense preparation over the years has helped him overcome dyslexia, but admitted there are times when he still has problems.
"I auditioned for something recently and I keep kicking myself about it because I completely dropped the ball," he explained.
The actor did acknowledge that his striking good looks also haven’t hurt his career in Hollywood.
"I’m not too ugly,” he joked. "I had a way with women, and I managed to - with a wink and a smile - get through a lot of the challenging things.”
