“For many years, people resented me for this lifestyle choice.”
Michael Cera has said that he does not own a smartphone and that this lifestyle choice might have had an impact on his Hollywood career.
The Arrested Development, Scott Pilgrim and Superbad star made the comments while promoting his new drama movie The Adults which premieres at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival this weekend.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Cera – known for being a very private person – was asked whether or not he made a “conscious decision” not to be on social media.
“It doesn’t feel conscious. I guess it’s just something that I didn’t elect to do,” he replied.
“Because everybody does it, it starts to feel like a big choice but it’s just not interesting to me.”
However, he then added: “But I also don’t have a smartphone and that is a conscious choice because I feel a bit of fear about it honestly. Like I’d really lose control of my waking life.
“Right when people started having smartphones, when it was Blackberries, I had lunch with a friend of mine, who was my best friend at the time, and he’d just gotten a Blackberry.
“For the whole meal, he was typing emails and I was sat there lonely and bored. So I had an early aversion to them.
“For many years, people resented me for this lifestyle choice but now people say that they envy it.”
The actor was then asked whether he believed not being active on social media had an impact on his career, particularly when many producers now are looking for stars with big online followings to help projects be promoted.
“I really can’t know the answer to that but it’s very possible,” he responded.
“I mean, I’m definitely not holding any sway in that category so if that’s an important thing I think I wouldn’t be considered.”
Cera also said the limelight in general is not something he has been comfortable with in the past, describing himself as a “very sensitive person”.
“I think when you get really famous, you’re just like a magnet to people and all kinds of people come up to you and I just can’t handle it,” he explained.
“I’m not really cut out for that level of interaction with so many different types. I don’t have a strong enough personality for that.”
Along with The Adults, Cera is set to appear in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie this year and currently stars in Amy Schumer’s series Life & Beth.
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