Dylan Minnette, the 27-year-old heartthrob who skyrocketed to fame with his role in Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why,” recently peeled back the curtain on his decision to hit pause on his acting career and dive headfirst into music with his band Wallows. But as fans eagerly await his return to the screen, Dylan’s candid interview shed light on the complexities of navigating success, passion, and creative fulfillment in the entertainment industry.
In a recent appearance on The Zach Sang Show, Dylan reflected on his journey from budding child actor to household name, acknowledging the pivotal role that “13 Reasons Why” played in catapulting him to stardom.
“It was really popular and definitely reached a peak,” he mused, reflecting on the meteoric rise of his acting career. “But it also started to feel like a bit of a job.”
For Dylan, whose love affair with acting began long before the glitz and glam of Hollywood came knocking, the shift from passion to profession was a bittersweet realization. What was once a source of joy and inspiration had begun to feel like just another nine-to-five grind.
“Acting was always fun and really inspiring,” he admitted. “But then it was starting to feel like just a job.”
It was this realization, coupled with his unwavering dedication to his musical aspirations, that ultimately led Dylan to pivot away from acting and pour his heart and soul into Wallows.
“I feel like Wallows and music is this passion that we’ve always had as a group to really take all the way as far as we can,” he explained. “And I was like, ‘I feel like I’m in a position now where I can just kind of do that for a while.’”
But while Dylan’s focus may have shifted away from the silver screen, he hasn’t ruled out a return to acting entirely. In fact, he revealed that the idea of stepping back into the spotlight has been percolating in the back of his mind.
“I keep pushing it back,” he joked, acknowledging that his plans for a Hollywood comeback have been delayed on more than one occasion.
In 2023, Dylan had set aside time to dip his toes back into the acting waters. However, fate had other plans in store, as his scheduled return coincided with the SAG-AFTRA strike that effectively brought the industry to a standstill for months on end.
But rather than viewing the setback as a roadblock, Dylan sees it as an opportunity for growth and exploration. As he delves deeper into his creative journey, he’s beginning to recognize the untapped potential within himself—a potential that extends far beyond the confines of any single medium.
“I’m starting to feel like I have something to give artistically and creatively in other fields than just music now,” he mused, hinting at the possibility of a future return to acting. “That’s probably acting.”
As Dylan Minnette continues to chart his own course, balancing his passion for music with the allure of the silver screen, one thing remains certain: wherever his journey may lead, fans can rest assured that they’ll be along for the ride every step of the way.
