Life is all about perspective, and I try to avoid judging people when I haven’t had a chance to walk in their shoes. This goes double for celebrities, who despite earning millions are probably dealing with a lot of pressure from living their lives in the spotlight. I wouldn’t dare show an ounce of empathy for billionaires like Elon Musk, but when it comes to puppy-eyed actors of my generation like Tom Holland, I can’t help but cut them a little slack. He’s also Spider-Man.
Holland has been outspoken about the overwhelming nature of his career a number of times in the past. Recently he talked about a break from acting after the critical reception to Apple TV original The Crowded Room proved less than positive, and having to balance his roles as an actor, producer, and public figure in the face of millions is no easy task for someone of his age to take on. So, he deleted his Instagram and tried to regain some of that ground best he could. On a new podcast with Jay Shetty, Holland expands on that decision and much more.
Over 90 minutes the star talks about beating his alcohol addiction, treasuring his romance with Zendaya, and taking a break from acting to make his own mental health the focus. It’s noble to come on a show like this, knowing how many fans and outlets will be acutely tuned into your sense of celebrity even if you try and avoid it. Holland talks about how his decision to delete Instagram to change his habits was framed by press as a mental breakdown, stigmatising a personal dilemma which shouldn’t be a big deal, but due to its penchant for clicks, it was turned into a weird little lie.
One element of the podcast that stands out for me more than anything else though is how Holland is willing to frame the struggles of Hollywood. He talks about needing to be a prim and proper professional at all times, but also the need to distance himself from events and work that isn’t strictly necessary. You won’t see him at premieres or red carpet events when he isn’t obligated to attend them, even if viral clips in TikTok convince you the actor loves to do nothing more than please his fans and the awaiting press. Chances are he hopes to do both of these things, and recognising that part of his work life and still understanding he is allowed to step away before it swallows him whole is a bold thing to admit. He mentions to host Jay Shetty that he has seen many of his friends lost to similar demons, and seems so determined not to follow in their footsteps.
It isn’t a stretch to call Holland one of the biggest movie stars in the world right now with films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Uncharted, and here he is admitting that being famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’m sure the money is nice, but individuals with a love for acting and performing aren’t always made for a life in the spotlight. They don’t owe us anything either, and it’s our oversaturated media and obsession with celebrity that morphs them into objects expected to perform more than human beings. It’s sickening, and Holland’s wish for privacy is only an exception because he’s brave enough to speak out for his own happiness.
The MCU is culpable in this scenario too, with his previous outing ending in a way that both left the universe wide open for expansion and his eventual return. Unless we dredge up Andrew Garfield or Tobey Macguire from the grave a second time, Holland is likely expected to make a comeback sooner rather than later. But he shouldn’t if he isn’t ready, regardless of how much money Marvel throws at him or struggles to convince him that, without his vision of Peter Parker, the MCU ceases to exist. Burnout is a bastard for making you feel guilty of things that aren’t your fault or for not doing enough work even if your entire life revolves around pleasing people instead of taking better care of yourself. Holland is having those tough conversations as we speak, and isn’t afraid to take down his vices or admit unhealthy practices of his career that need to be left behind.
I’d rather he kept walking down this road of recovery instead of committing something that will only exacerbate his own misery. Spider-Man can wait, and so can we.