Jonah Hill has announced he won’t be taking part in press tours for his upcoming films for the sake of his mental health.
Hill explained that media appearances exacerbate his anxiety, and acknowledged that he’s in the fortunate position of being able to take time out.
The 38-year-old explained that because public-facing events heighten his anxiety, he won’t be doing any press rounds for Stutz - the new documentary Hill directed - or Kenya Barris’s You People, which he wrote and produced and hits Netflix later this year.
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In his statement, Hill cited Stutz, which is named after his own therapist and features important and frank mental health discussions - noting that if he were to make himself more unwell by taking part in a promotional tour, he wouldn’t be acting true to ‘himself or the film’.
Hill’s full statement to Deadline read: “I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist which explores mental health in general called Stutz.
"The whole purpose of making this film is to give therapy and the tools I’ve learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film.
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“Through this journey of self-discovery within the film, I have come to the understanding that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which are exacerbated by media appearances and public facing events.”
The star continued: “I am so grateful that the film will make its world premiere at a prestigious film festival this fall, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world in the hope that it will help those struggling.
“However, you won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself. If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film.”
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Hill went on: “I usually cringe at letters or statements like this but I understand that I am of the privileged few who can afford to take time off. I won’t lose my job while working on my anxiety.
"With this letter and with Stutz, I’m hoping to make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff. So they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.”
He concluded: “I hope the work will speak for itself and I’m grateful to my collaborators, my business partners and to all reading this for your understanding and support.”
Topics: Jonah Hill, Mental Health, Celebrity
Aisha Nozari