Glen Powell admits 'you have to lie to yourself' as he recalls his 'darkest moments' in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Glen Powell, known for his breakout roles in 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Twisters', recently shared candid insights into his challenging journey to fame in an interview with 'Vanity Fair' for the 2025 Hollywood Issue.

The 36-year-old actor reflected on the tough early years of his career and the mental resilience required to survive in the competitive world of Hollywood.

Glen Powell opens up on the challenges of Hollywood stardom

Glen Powell explained how difficult it was to remain hopeful when things weren’t going his way. "As a struggling actor, there’s no harder place to live than being in Hollywood with nothing going on," Powell shared. He went on to describe the pressure of constantly measuring his worth against his latest job and how it felt to be so “oppressively self-aware” in a town that values relevance above all.

During these tough times, Powell revealed that the key to surviving was often to “lie to yourself.” He explained, “Even at the darkest moments in that town, when I really didn’t have anything happening, you sort of have to lie to yourself, at least a little bit, and act like this is that chapter of the story where things just aren’t going right.” He continued, “You have to believe in the Hollywood legends of those people that you admire, the people that you’re chasing, that had those long stretches of famine as well.”

Glen Powell reflects on harsh realities of breaking into Hollywood

Glen Powell also highlighted a part of the industry that many outsiders don’t fully understand: the struggle to even get noticed. “People are like, ‘Oh man, auditioning must be tough,’” Powell said, adding “And I’m like, ‘No, auditioning is a luxury.’” He said that breaking into the industry often means facing obstacles like finding an agent or even being able to afford basic necessities like headshots. Powell likened the experience to being “outside that velvet rope” at a party where getting noticed is often a challenge.

Now a leading man in Hollywood, Powell credits his success to a shift in perspective. He spoke about how his role choices are driven by his audience, not his own preferences. “I try to think, ‘Audience first,’ rather than, ‘Me first,’” he explained, emphasizing that he strives to fit into roles that push his boundaries. “How can I fit into a role that really challenges what I do, where I’m not settling into any sort of groove that feels too familiar or too monotonous?”

Glen Powell opens up on creating chemistry with Sydney Sweeney

Powell also touched on his mindset during press tours, particularly for his upcoming film 'Anything But You'. He and co-star Sydney Sweeney were aware of the importance of creating chemistry during interviews and on the red carpet. "I think what people forget about with a press tour is that it’s its own sense of entertainment," Powell said, acknowledging the strategy behind it without feeling it was deceitful. He noted that much of the fun comes from engaging in activities that align with his personality, like his memorable moment of “shotgunning a beer” with country singer Luke Combs during 'Twisters' press events.

Glen Powell reflects on his decision to leave Los Angeles for Texas

Further reflecting on his personal life, Glen Powell revealed a significant decision to leave Los Angeles, his home for 15 years, and return to his roots in Austin, Texas. After a conversation with actor Matthew McConaughey, Powell felt compelled to find balance between the Hollywood "Matrix" and the real world. “Hollywood is the Matrix, man. You plug in and it’s all fake world,” McConaughey told him.

“Then I go to Austin, and I unplug. It’s all real. Those are my friends, that’s my family, my actions matter there.” Powell agreed, saying, “If you’re here [in Hollywood], you live in the Matrix all the time, there’s no separation of those worlds.” Now, with his career taking off and his family growing, Powell finds himself yearning for a balance between his public persona and private life.