In a candid interview on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast, acclaimed actor Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, shared his ambivalent feelings towards Hollywood, expressing that the entertainment industry is “not for him” despite his passion for filmmaking. The 27-year-old British star admitted to being fearful of the business side of Hollywood and his constant efforts to detach himself from it in order to maintain a semblance of a normal life.
“Look, I really am a massive fan of making movies but I really do not like Hollywood, it is not for me,” the British actor said.
“The business really scares me. I understand that I’m a part of that business, and I enjoy my kind of interactions with it, but that said, I am always looking for ways to kind of remove myself from it, to kind of just live as normal a life as possible,” he continued.
During the interview, Holland revealed that he has witnessed acquaintances “lose themselves” to the industry, prompting him to actively seek ways to protect his own well-being. Emphasizing his commitment to staying true to himself, he expressed a desire to focus on what genuinely brings him happiness: his family, friends, carpentry, golf, and the charity work that his mother is involved in.
“I definitely think it has been an ongoing thought, which is don’t lose yourself,” said Holland.
“I’ve seen so many people come before me and lose themselves, and I’ve had friends that I’ve grown up with that aren’t friends of mine anymore, because they’ve lost themselves to this business.”
“I just am really, really keen to focus on what makes me happy, which is my family, it’s my friends. It’s my carpentry, my golf, the charity that my mom runs,” he went on.
“Like, that is the stuff that makes me really happy, and that’s the stuff that I should protect.”
In a surprising revelation, Holland shared his personal struggle with alcohol addiction. Reflecting on a month-long abstinence challenge he took on, known as “Dry January,” the actor realized the extent of his dependency when he found himself obsessing over the thought of having a drink. Recognizing the severity of the issue, he decided to extend his sobriety period to two months. However, Holland admitted that the extended abstinence proved challenging, leading him to question if he had an alcohol problem.
When abstaining from alcohol, Holland said he realized he may have a problem and said: “all I could think about was having a drink.”
“I was waking up thinking about it. I was checking the clock … And it just really scared me,” he explained.
The actor’s courageous honesty about his personal battles shed light on the pressures faced by those in the entertainment industry, including the potential pitfalls of substance abuse and losing one’s identity. By speaking openly about his experiences, Holland hopes to raise awareness and encourage others to prioritize their well-being amidst the demands of their careers.
