Star Actor Trashes Hollywood Lifestyle With Blunt Comments
Glen Powell doesn't sound like he's a big fan of spending time in Hollywood.
Powell is one of the fastest rising stars in the entertainment industry. He starred in "Top Gun: Maverick," "Devotion" and capped off 2023 with the monster rom-com hit "Anyone but You" with Sydney Sweeney.
He's on a rocket ship to the top of the entertainment mountain, but he won't be doing it by sticking around in Hollywood.
He thinks the city is full of people just looking to use others, and that's why he moved back to Texas.
Glen Powell gets honest about Hollywood lifestyle.
Hollywood is known for being an incredibly transactional place. What can you give people? What can you do for people? That's your value, and he's not interested in participating anymore.
"The thing that makes me feel in conflict with some parts of this moment is that I like choosing when I’m out in front. And I’m more than happy to be on a press tour. I love it. I love going on a Jimmy Fallon — you walk out, you sign autographs, you do the whole thing. This idea that you’re a function here. Someone will go, ‘Hey, friend, want to come to this guy’s house? Yeah, come over.’ And then you show up, and suddenly you’re there for, like, someone’s tequila launch and all of a sudden there’s a photographer and you’re like, ‘Wait, what are we doing here?’ And I think you get enough of those that you just want to bring your family as close as possible — or run to them," Powell told The Hollywood Reporter when explaining what he doesn't like about Hollywood.
He also credited Matthew McConaughey for playing a significant role in his decision to ditch the bright lights of Hollywood for a calmer life in Texas.
"He’s like, ‘Hollywood is the Matrix, man. You plug in and it’s all fake world.' He’s like, ‘Then I go to Austin, and I unplug. It’s all real. Those are my friends, that’s my family, my actions matter there.’ And he’s right. If you’re here, you live in the Matrix all the time, there’s no separation of those worlds. And for me, especially as my parents get older and my niece and nephew are growing up, I want a separation of those worlds," Powell explained when talking about the advice McConaughey gave him.
Glen Powell ditched Hollywood for a return to Texas. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)
It's great to hear Powell's refreshingly honest take on the entertainment industry. Everybody wants something, and it's probably very hard to tell who is actually a great friend at the end of the day. Life is simply better and calmer in other parts of America. Matthew McConaughey cut and ran to Austin. Powell has now done the same. As someone who deals with similar nonsense in Washington, D.C. - known as Hollywood for ugly people - I don't blame him one bit for wanting a change of pace.
The question now is how much brighter can Powell's star get. I certainly wouldn't bet against him. He's on a roll, and by all appearances, seems to be a rock solid guy. Hopefully, he continues to make hits, and enjoys his time outside of big cities. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.