by Brad Pitt is one of the most renowned actors in Hollywood, having starred in numerous hit films over his decades-long career. From classics like Fight Club and Ocean’s Eleven to recent award-winning performances in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pitt has proven himself to be one of the most versatile and talented actors of his generation.
However, even mega-celebrities like Pitt have to deal with their fair share of detractors and criticism. Whether it’s tabloid fodder about his personal life or reviewers panning his latest performance, Pitt has faced negativity from many directions. But over time, he’s developed philosophical strategies for dealing with the haters and staying focused on his work.
In a recent interview with Extra, Pitt opened up about how he handles critics and detractors after so many years in the spotlight. According to Pitt, his main strategy is simply to ignore the negativity and not let it bother him too much. As he told Extra, “I’ve learned that the best way to deal with haters is to just ignore them. The more attention you give them, the more they’ll come after you.”
This advice aligns perfectly with what psychologists and mental health experts often recommend as well. Rather than engaging with detractors and giving them more fuel, it’s better to simply tune them out and not let them occupy space in your mind. Pitt recognizes that haters will always exist no matter how successful or respected you become. But by denying them attention, you remove their ability to truly hurt you with their words.
In addition to ignoring haters, Pitt focuses on positive feedback from those closest to him. As he told Extra, “I’m lucky to have a lot of great people in my life who support me. I focus on them and try not to let the negativity get to me.” This strategy prevents haters from dominating his self-image and self-worth. By tuning into positive relationships in his inner circle, Pitt is able to ground himself and not get lost in negativity.
Psychologists agree that focusing on inner social circles is crucial for mental well-being, especially for celebrities facing constant public critique. Even constructive criticism from reviewers or journalists can be damaging if it’s not balanced with positive feedback from trusted friends and family. Pitt’s strategy relies on leaning on his social support network to stay confident, strong, and rooted in a clear sense of self.
Of course, Pitt also recognizes that everyone deals with some level of criticism and negativity, even average people who are not under the public microscope like celebrities. In a past interview with CNN, Pitt explained his perspective that hater behavior says more about the hater than the target. As Pitt wisely put it, “Every one of us gets just damn rude [comments], and we all get our pejorative tweets or rants from someone. I think that really what it says is more about the person stating it. It’s more about them.”
This insight reveals Pitt does not take haters and detractors personally. He understands Internet trolls and critics often spread negativity to fill their own emptiness, not because the target necessarily deserves such vitriol. This philosophy prevents Pitt from being hurt or offended by people who do not even know him. Their harsh criticism represents their issues, not his.
However, Pitt is not always able to ignore all negativity or fully tune out the loudest detractors. In those difficult cases, he relies on another key strategy – seeking professional help and support if needed. For instance, during his turbulent 2016 divorce from Angelina Jolie, which was closely followed in tabloid media, Pitt opened up about reaching out for guidance from a counselor and therapist.
As Pitt told GQ, “For me every misstep has been a step toward epiphany, understanding, some kind of joy. Yeah, the avoidance of pain is a real mistake. It’s the real missing out on life.” Revealing his openness to professional mental health resources shows Pitt’s willingness to process challenging experiences so they fuel growth rather than bitterness at haters.
Between ignoring detractors, focusing on his inner circle, and seeking help, Pitt has devised an admirable blueprint for staying sane and happy amidst fame. His strategies shield him from the warping effects of constant criticism. Other celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence have echoed Pitt’s techniques as well, proving their universal value for anyone facing regular hate and negativity.
For instance, Oscar-winning actress Lawrence told BBC Radio 1 she avoids reading commentary about herself online. As Lawrence explained it, “It’s not healthy to read about yourself every day, to see what people are saying about you because you start to think about yourself in their minds, and you’re like, ‘is this what people think about me?’ It just does not make you feel good.”
Much like Pitt, Lawrence relies on her loved ones for support too. As she continued, “My friends help me, my family helps, but I have the privilege to have these people in my life, so I lean on them…Don’t lose sleep over it, be yourself, and remember the people that really care about you.” Focusing on positive inner circlesoffsets the noise created by detractors.
Other experts likewise endorse Pitt’s core strategies. According to psychologists, dropping negativity from our attention is crucial to happiness, as the human brain is wired to dwell on criticism out of a self-protective fight-or-flight instinct. By consciously ignoring criticism, you circumvent the default wiring and retrain your brain. Responding calmly and rationally also de-escalates conflict rather than adding fuel to the fire.
Overall, Brad Pitt sets a positive example of how to handle criticism with grace and maturity rather than lashing out at detractors. His methods offer lessons anyone can apply, celebrity or not. By ignoring negativity, focusing internally, and seeking help, you maintain clear perspective and avoid getting mired in the opinions of those who do not know you. A secure sense of self sustains you amidst external noise.
If more public figures modeled Pitt’s strategies, we could chip away at the toxicity that unfortunately dominates much online culture. The psychology is simple – depriving haters of attention causes their behavior to diminish over time. After all, their goal is to get a rise out of the target. What better defeat than to simply not care or respond?
Of course, Pitt is only human and not totally immune to all negativity. Even he has engaged with detractors very occasionally over the years when extremely provoked. For instance, he reportedly sent director David Fincher a severed rat head during the filming of Se7en to express his displeasure with Fincher’s demanding methods. The stunt captured headlines for its shock value when revealed later.
However, such exceptions prove the rule, as Pitt generally does ignore even the most vicious criticism and gossip. He understands adding more hostility to the world rarely makes situations better. As Pitt has said, “I care about how I’m perceived, but I can’t let it get to me to the point that I’m not doing anything.” Focusing too much on haters is a creativity killer.
At the end of the day, Brad Pitt remains one of Hollywood’s most respected actors because his talent continues to shine through over decades, regardless of detractors nipping at his heels. By staying centered, grounded, and surrounded by loved ones, Pitt keeps the noise from distorting his self-image. His mental health strategies enable him to keep doing great work rather than being distracted by negativity.
In turbulent times when toxicity runs rampant online and in the media, the world needs more role models like Pitt who handle criticism and hatred with grace. Imagine how culture could improve if we all compassionately ignored rather than engaged with trolls. Brad Pitt sets the gold standard, proving even a celebrity with haters at every turn can stay happy, productive, and at peace by simply tuning out the nonsense. If Pitt can do it, so can the rest of us.
