Glen Powell advises aspiring actors to maintain optimism during challenging times in Hollywood, drawing inspiration from the struggles of successful actors. He emphasizes the importance of persistence and finding opportunities to showcase one’s talent, highlighting the often-overlooked struggles of auditioning, networking, and financial stability. Powell’s own experiences, marked by both struggles and recent successes, underscore the value of perseverance in the entertainment industry.

2024 has not been the best year for Hollywood. In fact, by many metrics, it’s been one of the toughest—but for Glen Powell, that’s simply part of the journey. Speaking to Vanity Fair for this year’s Hollywood Issue, Powell reflected on his personal experiences navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. For him, surviving the challenging times often meant forcing himself to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even when it wasn’t easily visible.

“Even at the darkest moments in that town, when I really didn’t have anything happening, you sort of have to lie to yourself, at least a little bit, and act like this is that chapter of the story where things just aren’t going right,” said Powell. “You have to believe in the Hollywood legends of those people that you admire, the people that you’re chasing, that had those long stretches of famine as well.” Powell draws motivation from the stories of iconic actors who overcame their own setbacks—stories of resilience that ultimately shaped their careers.

Powell explained that during these tough times, he dedicated himself to understanding all aspects of the business. Success, he found, was about finding every possible way to put yourself out there, even if it meant embracing the discomfort of uncertainty. “In LA, you are really just hustling to try to be a part of the experiment at all. People are like, ‘Oh man, auditioning must be tough.’ And I’m like, ‘No, auditioning is a luxury,’” he shared. For Powell, auditioning was a step up—a sign that he was at least part of the game, whereas the real challenge was getting to that point: finding an agent, paying for headshots, and trying to network his way in. These often-overlooked aspects of an actor’s journey are, in Powell’s view, some of the hardest challenges to navigate.

Powell describes Hollywood as a place where opportunities are always just behind a velvet rope, with the metaphorical bouncer standing between you and your dreams. “Most of the time you are outside that velvet rope,” Powell said. “Most of the time the bouncer is not even allowing you anywhere in the vicinity.” For aspiring actors, this reality can be discouraging—especially in a town where relevance is currency and your last job defines you. Powell spoke candidly about the immense pressure of living in Hollywood without work, noting that it can often feel like the worst thing in the world. The constant comparisons to others’ successes can be suffocating, leading many to stay in the industry for reasons they haven’t fully thought through.

“As a struggling actor, there’s no harder place to live than being in Hollywood with nothing going on,” Powell confessed. “The currency of that town is how relevant you are and what your last job is. It makes you oppressively self-aware.” He believes that this struggle is what leads many actors into a cycle of pushing forward without reflection, trying to be seen without understanding why they’re still there. “Where people can get caught in a rut is where they just want to continue spinning the roulette wheel without any thought of why. They just stay at the table for no reason other than to stay at the table,” he said, acknowledging how easily one can lose direction amidst the hustle.

Fortunately for Powell, those days appear to be behind him—at least for now. He’s experienced major success this year with two blockbuster films, Anyone But You and Twisters, and earned critical acclaim for his Netflix film Hit Man. He’s now gearing up for his next project: a remake of the 1987 sci-fi action film The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright. Though his career is currently soaring, Powell’s experiences serve as a reminder of the tenacity needed to succeed in an industry filled with unpredictability. His advice for aspiring actors? Persevere, even if you have to lie to yourself about the light at the end of the tunnel. After all, in Hollywood, it’s those who stay at the table—and know why they’re there—that have the best shot at success.