Hill won’t be promoting his new documentary to protect his mental health
Jonah Hill has been open in the past about battling anxiety, and is advocating for his mental health by deciding not to publicly promote his new documentary, Stutz.
“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 The Wolf of Wall Street actor wrote in open letter to Deadline. “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.”
Hill, who rose to fame with films like Superbad, 21 Jump Street, Moneyball, Knocked Up, and Don’t Look Up, said he was “grateful” for the chance to share the film with others who also struggle with their mental health, but that he will not publicly promote it—or any other upcoming projects, while recognizing he was one of the “privileged few who can afford to take time off.”
He also wrote that he felt this was a big step in self-protection for him, writing: “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.” Being able to put yourself first and have the self-awareness to know what’s right for you should be applauded.
In October 2021, Hill, pleaded with fans to stop commenting on his body. “Good or bad I want to politely let you know it’s not helpful and doesn’t feel good,” he wrote onInstagram (which he has since deleted), adding that he knew people “mean[t] well” with their compliments of weight loss.
While Hill admitted letters like this usually make him “cringe,” he felt it was important to honor his feelings and state publicly why he won’t be promoting this important documentary. “I hope the work will speak for itself,” he ended his letter, “and I’m grateful to my collaborators, my business partners and to all reading this for your understanding and support.”
