Ryan Reynolds recently opened up about the pressure of people pleasing in Hollywood and how it clashes with mental health. Speaking at a “John Candy: I Like Me” event in Brooklyn on October 8, the actor emphasized that trying to keep everyone happy is a dead end in the entertainment industry.
The reflections came while Reynolds continues to promote the new documentary he co-produced about John Candy. It is a project that also talks about anxiety and the cost of always putting forth a brave face.
Ryan Reynolds reveals people pleasing ‘doesn’t work’ in Hollywood
As per PEOPLE, Ryan Reynolds said that Hollywood often rewards people pleasing, but it has limits. He told the audience, “You just can’t — it doesn’t work,” crediting a thought he had heard from Conan O’Brien and noting Bill Murray has voiced similar views. He explained, “Because as a people-pleaser, you don’t want to burden anyone with your anything.”
Moreover, Reynolds pointed to a difficult but necessary path forward for anyone struggling, stating, “The only way out is through.” The actor also said, “The only way out is to center yourself, and to the people-pleaser that’s [difficult].” He added, “So it’s a paradox that is fascinating to me.”
The “Deadpool” star’s comments echo what he shared during the movie’s rollout at the Toronto International Film Festival. There, he sat down with PEOPLE/EW, alongside director Colin Hanks, saying, “I know I have some of those traits, and people-pleasing and mental health, they don’t coexist very well together at all.
Reynolds continued, “Because you never want to burden anybody else with anything. You never want to be a problem for anybody else.” He added that the only way to fight mental health struggles “is to talk about it — is to sort of take the stage or take the space and own it and hold it and go, ‘Hey, I’m having a tough time and I need help.’”
Hence, Ryan Reynolds is using the John Candy documentary to highlight that people pleasing in Hollywood, or in general, can’t come before being honest with oneself and others.
Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on RealityTea.
