by Henry Cavill has opened up in a remarkably candid interview about his deep fear of fame, claiming he is genuinely frightened that being in the public eye so much will “destroy” his private life.
The Hollywood actor, best known for playing Superman, spoke openly about his concerns in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter this week. He revealed that the thing which scares him most about being famous is the potential loss of privacy and the ability to live a normal life out of the headlines.
“I think the thing that scares me the most about fame is the loss of privacy,” Cavill told the publication. “I really value my anonymity and privacy. I know that comes with the job, and I’ve accepted that, but I do think it’s important for me to hold on to as much normalcy and privacy as I can.”
Cavill said that ever since he took on the role of Superman and experienced a huge surge in public interest in him, he’s become increasingly paranoid about maintaining his private life. The 39-year-old British star said he worries constantly about paparazzi following him, fans accosting him in public, and every aspect of his personal affairs being reported in the media.
“It frightens me because I’ve seen how it can really destroy people’s lives,” Cavill confessed. “I’ve seen famous people essentially turned into prisoners in their own homes, afraid to even go outside because they’ll get hounded everywhere they go. And I’ve found myself becoming more reclusive over the years because even simple things like going for a quiet drink in a pub become impossible.”
The Man of Steel actor said one of his biggest concerns is that the non-stop attention on his personal life could negatively impact his relationships with loved ones. He worries that the ‘Superman’ tag attached to his name means people struggle to get to know the real Henry Cavill.
“I do worry fame could complicate personal relationships for me,” he admitted. “It’s very hard to properly get to know someone when there’s all this outside noise going on about you all the time. I really value the friends I have who knew me long before I ever played Superman and treat me exactly the same.”
Cavill confessed that it’s a constant struggle to reconcile his public persona with his innate desire for privacy and normality. He said he finds it extremely difficult to balance being ‘genuinely himself’ with putting on a professional front for the cameras.
“It’s weird, playing this character who is supposed be confident and charming and heroic when you don’t always feel like that yourself,” he said. “The myth of celebrity is very different to the reality.”
The Jersey-born star added that he fully understands fame is a by-product of his chosen career as an actor, and he is extremely grateful for the opportunities it has afforded him. However, he can’t help but pine for the simple pleasures in life he can no longer enjoy.
“I know some people might roll their eyes when they hear famous people complaining about fame, and I totally get that,” Cavill said. “I feel very blessed to do what I do. But I do miss being able to do regular stuff like walk my dog without getting mobbed or enjoying a pint in the local pub without it becoming a scene.”
Cavill said his number one priority is ensuring his family, including his five brothers and his mother Marianne, remain unaffected by his celebrity status. He has gone to great lengths over the years to shelter them from the limelight.
“Keeping my family and friends away from the circus is key,” he told the Reporter. “It’s really important to me that my loved ones can live normal lives despite my fame.”
Interestingly, Cavill also revealed he once seriously considered quitting acting altogether early in his career before he landed the iconic role of Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel.
“I’ve thought about walking away many times,” he revealed. “Being an actor is exhilarating but there’s a lot about fame that scares me and having a life in the spotlight is something I’ve always struggled with. Playing Superman catapulted me to a whole new level and I’m not going to pretend it’s not frightening at times dealing with that. I just try to keep grounded.”
For now, Cavill remains one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and his fame shows no signs of abating any time soon. He is set to return to the DC Universe next year reprising his Clark Kent role in a highly anticipated Man of Steel sequel. But the actor said he plans to continue being selective about the roles he takes on so he can balance blockbuster stardom with low-key anonymity.
“I’m always going to be very protective over my privacy,” he declared. “And I think as long as I stick to my principles and remember who I am, I can handle the pressures that come with this career. But it’s a constant battle.”
