Being a child star can and often does take its toll on the young actors in question. Having so much worldwide media attention on your from a young age effects the lives these children grow up to have, and Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has opened up about the effect it has had on his life.
Daniel, now 30, has revealed that the pressure of being famous after starring in ‘Harry Potter’ turned him into an alcoholic.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Daniel discussed how the end of the film franchise marked a scary period of transition for the cast, and how alcohol helped him cope.
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Daniel revealed that he didn’t have a strong sense of identity after the franchise ended.
“A lot of drinking that happened towards the end of Potter and for a little bit after it finished, it was panic, a little bit not knowing what to do next – not being comfortable enough in who I was to remain sober,” Daniel explained.
Daniel also explained that it seemed to be a common lifestyle in those around him.
“You can also just see people go to drugs and drink because it’s fun and they’re available and it seems like a good idea, and there’s nobody around you talking about the consequences or being honest about that.”
Daniel discussed how the discomfort of being watched also led to him wanting to become intoxicated.
He said , “In my case, the quickest way to forget about the fact that you’re being watched is to get very drunk. And then as you get very drunk, you become aware that ‘Oh, people are watching more now because now I’m getting very drunk, so I should probably drink more to ignore that more.’”
It’s refreshing to see a celebrity be so honest about their struggles, and we’re glad that Daniel has found a support system to help him through these issues!
