For many young actors, breaking into Hollywood may just be the ultimate dream filled with fame, glamour, fortune and global recognition. But for Tom Holland, the reality behind the spotlight is far more complicated.The actor and star of the billion-dollar money-spinning ‘Spider-Man’ franchise is one of the most sought-after stars today. He will also be seen in two of 2026’s biggest movies – Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ and Marvel’s ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’. While Tom loves filmmaking and being an actor, he once admitted that the culture surrounding Hollywood often leaves him uneasy.
Quote of the day
“I really do not like Hollywood, it is not for me. The business really scares me.”
Tom Holland on the struggle to stay grounded in Hollywood
Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Holland explained that despite being one of the biggest stars of his generation, he constantly tries to protect himself from getting consumed by fame. “Look, I really am a massive fan of making movies but I really do not like Hollywood, it is not for me,” the actor said and went on to add, “The business really scares me. I understand that I’m a part of that business, and I enjoy my kind of interactions with it.”Rather than chasing stardom, the actor said he actively looks for ways to maintain a “normal” life away from the spotlight. Holland explained, “I am always looking for ways to kind of remove myself from it to kind of just live as normal a life as possible.”
Tom Holland on the darker side of fame
Reflecting on the darker side of fame, he also opened up about losing friends and friendships over time in the industry. He shared, “I’ve seen so many people come before me and lose themselves, and I’ve had friends that I’ve grown up with that aren’t friends of mine anymore, because they’ve lost themselves to this business. I definitely think it has been an ongoing thought, which is ‘Don’t lose yourself.'”
Tom Holland on focusing on happiness
The actor, who reportedly married his co-star, Zendaya in a hush-hush ceremony, also shared his idea of happiness. He explained, “I just am really, really keen to focus on what makes me happy, which is my family, it’s my friends. It’s my carpentry, my golf, the charity that my mom runs. Like, that is the stuff that makes me really happy, and that’s the stuff that I should protect.”Holland will be seen in the mythological epic ‘The Odyssey’ which releases on July 17. He will also bee seen in the superhero film ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, which releases on July 31. If rumours are to be believed, the actor will also likely make an appearance in the upcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, slated for its release on December 18.
