"Ant-Man" star Evangeline Lilly revealed in an interview with CBN News published Monday that she walked away from Hollywood six years ago despite a successful acting career, citing her longtime discomfort with fame, health problems and a desire to pursue a more meaningful life guided by her Christian faith.
asserted
she → reveal → faith
"I've always hated being famous," she said.
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she → hat → ?
"I never made any secrets about that.
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I → make → that
I've always said being famous is the cost of the wealth that you can get as an actor."
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you → say → actor
The actress, best known for portraying Kate Austen in "Lost" and Hope van Dyne in Marvel's "Ant-Man" franchise, acknowledged experiencing moments of fear after walking away from the wealth, professional influence and recognition that accompanied her Hollywood success.
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that → know → success
"There has been definitely moments of fear of like, ‘How do you consciously and intentionally let go of so much seemingly power and influence and potentially money and also just affirmation of yourself,’" Lilly said.
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Lilly → let → yourself
Christian Toto, a film critic and founder of Hollywood in Toto, told Fox News Digital that Lilly's decision to leave her acting career is exceptionally rare, particularly for someone who achieved success in major Hollywood franchises.
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who → tell → franchises
"It's extremely uncommon for stars to walk away from their acting careers," he said.
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he → walk → careers
"It happens, but it's the exception to the rule.
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it → happen → rule
Many work very hard to achieve a level of fame, so giving that up doesn't always make sense.
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giving → work → sense
For some, like Lilly, they learn that an actor's life has too many drawbacks, and they seek something more fulfilling."
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they → learn → something
Despite those concerns, Lilly explained that her faith ultimately helped her embrace a future outside the entertainment industry's spotlight, saying she believed God had a greater purpose for her life beyond acting.
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God → explain → acting
"It's just been incredibly liberating and beautiful to step into a total trust and surrender that God has a plan for my life," Lilly said.
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Lilly → step → life
"That that plan doesn't necessarily need to – it doesn't have to be about fame and money and wealth and power.
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it → need → fame
It can be about more important things and that all of it works together."
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all → work → it
Toto also said that celebrities face intense public scrutiny, arguing that social media has increased the personal pressures associated with Hollywood fame.
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media → say → fame
"There's a cost to Hollywood fame," he said.
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he → be → fame
"You live under the microscope.
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You → live → microscope
Strangers assume they know you and sometimes treat you that way in public.
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they → assume → public
Your career is subjected to scrutiny in ways others can't imagine.
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others → subject → ways
It's always been so, but the rise of social media makes all of the above worse."
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all → make → above
The actress also revealed that leaving Hollywood significantly improved her physical and emotional well-being after years of struggling with chronic health issues she associated with the demands of her career.
"
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she → reveal → career
My health has dramatically improved.
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health → improve → ?
I had massive chronic health issues by the time I retired," Lilly said.
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Lilly → have → time
Lily clarified that she had considered herself retired since 2020, four years before her departure attracted widespread media attention following a retrospective social media post in 2024.
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departure → clarify → 2024
In June 2024, Lilly publicly announced she was stepping away from Hollywood by sharing a video recorded in 2006 in which she expressed her desire to retire from acting, raise a family and pursue humanitarian work.
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she → announce → work
Toto suggested that Hollywood's treatment of older actresses could also influence decisions to leave the industry, particularly for women who have spent decades pursuing major acting roles.
uncertain
who → suggest → roles
Men are allowed to age naturally and can still land major roles, even in action films.
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Men → allow → films
It's not as easy for actresses," Toto said.
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Toto → say → actresses
Fox News Digital reached out to Lilly for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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Digital → reach → response
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