Glen Powell has been everywhere lately—from big screens to magazine covers. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the 36-year-old Anyone But You star shared what it’s been like to chase success in Hollywood, reflecting on his journey from struggling actor to heartthrob, and even addressing the recent romance rumors surrounding him and costar Sydney Sweeney. Here’s what he had to say about career highs, learning from failures, and that fun but intense promo tour with Sweeney.
Before his breakout, Powell remembers the struggle of staying relevant in Hollywood. “As a struggling actor, there’s no harder place to live than being in Hollywood with nothing going on,” he admitted. “The currency of that town is how relevant you are and what your last job is. It makes you oppressively self-aware. 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.” Hollywood, he said, can feel like a constant competition, but for him, it was about realizing when to leave the table and look for something more meaningful.
Glen’s rise wasn’t overnight, and he’s open about having more failures than successes along the way. “I’ve failed for a lot longer than I’ve succeeded,” he reflected. “I’ve really gotten a chance to see other people do it. And what I realized is, I think the trap is trying to fit into the mold of something like that where it’s inauthentic.” Those struggles gave him a unique perspective on Hollywood, teaching him that sticking to his authentic self—no matter how unconventional—was the key to his long-term success.
Glen Powell’s filmography isn’t easily boxed into one genre. From rom-coms to blockbuster action, his roles have varied widely—and that’s no accident. “The thing I’ve really tried to chase is a feeling, like, ‘I hope I have it in me,’ right?” he said. “I’m trying to do ambitious things that scare me a little bit because when they scare you, it means that you have to rise to the occasion.” For Glen, pursuing different kinds of projects allows him to constantly push himself and keep things fresh.
Unlike many actors, Powell doesn’t believe in the “one for them, one for me” approach. “There’s always been this phrase, ‘One for me, one for them,’” he noted. “And I just completely disagree with that idea. I think it can be all for them, and it can be all for you, and you just have to be really deliberate about what you’re a part of.” According to Powell, it’s possible to find roles that both excite him and appeal to audiences; the trick is being intentional with his choices and taking on projects that feel both ambitious and authentic.
One of Powell’s earliest on-screen moments came in The Dark Knight Rises, where he had a small role under the direction of the legendary Christopher Nolan. Though it wasn’t a major role, it left a lasting impact. “I remember everything. You never forget the feeling,” he recalled. “On Dark Knight Rises, the feeling of being able to walk onto a set and you knew everybody in the world wanted to be on that set.”
Getting the part wasn’t easy—he auditioned several times for it. “I was getting to work with the greatest director on the planet, Christopher Nolan. And you’re sitting there and all of a sudden Tom Hardy walks in as Bane. It’s electric. It’s sort of out-of-body.” For Powell, it was an early moment of validation and a rare chance to work with his filmmaking heroes, a memory he still treasures today.
With Anyone But You out in the world, Powell and Sweeney’s close bond became the source of much media speculation. But, Powell says, it’s all part of the game. “I think what people forget about with a press tour is that it’s its own sense of entertainment. I don’t think it’s duplicitous,” he explained. “I love her. She’s the greatest. If you’re not having fun with this job, then I think you get burnt out.”
Rumors aside, Powell insists that he and Sweeney just have a great friendship and enjoy supporting each other’s success. “We just had a really good time. So we have just such a great friendship and really cheer for each other, and it’s been a fun ride to do this thing together,” he added.
From fighting for recognition to riding Hollywood’s fast lane, Glen Powell is navigating fame on his terms. With his laid-back attitude and willingness to take risks, it’s no wonder he’s catching everyone’s eye. As he continues to rise, Powell is clear about one thing: he’s here to have fun, take on new challenges, and bring his own spark to Hollywood.
