Superstar Jonah Hill announced that he won’t be doing any press events to promote his upcoming documentary “Stutz” or attend any promotional events for his films in the future after suffering from “anxiety attacks.”
In a lengthy letter, the 38-year-old actor opened up about his mental health battle over the last two decades and said through therapy he’s come to realize press events to promote his films has only “exacerbated” his anxiety, The Hollywood Reporter reported in a piece published Wednesday.
“I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist which explores mental health in general called ‘Stutz,’” Hill wrote. “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.”
Jonah Hill to Step Away From Promoting Movies to Protect Mental Health, Says Media Appearances “Exacerbate” Anxiety Attacks https://t.co/yvp1Nddxfc
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 17, 2022
“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,” he added.
“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,” the “Superbad” star continued. “If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film.”
Jonah also admitted that he’s one “of the privileged few” who can “afford to take time off” and won’t lose their 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,” the “21 Jump Street” star explained in his letter. “So they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.”
“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,” Hill concluded.
According to a description on IMDb, the film follows “Hill and his therapist as he has candid discussions of mental health and the progressively worsening anxiety attacks related to movie promotion that have turned his dream job into a nightmare.”
Source: Dailywire
