Tom Holland Talks New Project Shifting His Perspective On His Mental Health

Tom Holland is delving deeper into his mind!

The renowned actor, widely recognized for his portrayal of Spider-Man, has recently gotten into a new project that has profoundly impacted his perspective on mental health. Although the charming star prefers to avoid social media, he recently decided to share his journey and shed light on the importance of psychological wellness.

Following a rapid transition from blockbuster movies like the Spider-Man franchise to "Uncharted," the 26-year-old was ready to rest on his oars until another opportunity came his way.

After searching for so long to play a role in a legal drama, he finally got his wish when acclaimed writer Akiva Goldsman presented the concept of a gripping psychological thriller. The idea then turned into a 10-episode captivating suspenseful drama titled "The Crowded Room," which Holland signed on to star and executive produce. 

Speaking with EW, the award-winning actor acknowledged his familiarity with the physical demands of action-oriented films before openly reflecting on the mental toll this project took on him. "The mental aspect, it beat me up, and it took a long time for me to recover afterward, to get back to reality sort of," he admitted.

The three-time Saturn Award winner revealed that after filming for nine months, he struggled to separate himself from the character. It affected his personal life so much that he eventually had a meltdown and almost shaved his head. 

Fortunately, he found solace in the presence of his fellow cast members, particularly Sasha Lane, who played his character's friend and roommate in the series. Reflecting on their collaboration, he noted, "She would take me aside and be open and willing to share some of her experiences that were so helpful at the moment." 

Having embarked on a sobriety journey for over a year, Holland credited the role to helping him view his mental health differently and recognize stress triggers like social media. He stated that he hoped the show's audience would "have more respect and more sympathy for people who are going through mental health issues," adding:

"I hope that people will feel educated about the powers of mental health, the struggles, [and] our incredible abilities to survive."

Last August, after temporarily deleting his Instagram account, the Broadway actor returned briefly to explain why he decided to stay off the app for a short video. Reflecting on how it took him over an hour to create the three-minute clip, the English actor stated that he found platforms like Twitter and Instagram to be "quite overwhelming and stimulating."

After realizing how badly he would spiral or become engrossed when reading about himself, he decided to "take a step back and delete the app." The "In the Heart of the Sea" star took the opportunity to shine a light on the app Stem4, run by his organization, The Brothers Trust, dedicated to supporting and promoting positive mental health.

The talented duo, who first crossed paths on the set of Marvel's "Spider-Man" film in 2016, swiftly became Hollywood's beloved couple after rumors of their romantic involvement were finally confirmed in 2021. 

Despite their enchanting romance, The Blast reported that the "Euphoria" star delved into the intricacies of her relationship with Holland and shed light on a particular aspect that posed challenges for them.

In an interview with The Sun, the "Malcolm and Marie" actress shared a candid revelation about trying to understand her boyfriend's South London dialect. Although she expressed her love for the British accent, "The Greatest Showman" star humorously admitted:

"But as much as Tom tries to explain it to me, I will never understand rhyming slang." 

The American-born star playfully questioned, "Like I understand the concept — but what do apples and pears have to do with stairs? It's cute when he tells me all the different phrases — but I don't get it!"

Sharing insights into her life with the actor in London, the singer revealed an interesting dynamic in their relationship. She stated, "He is perfect in the kitchen, which is fortunate as I am accident-prone." She humorously disclosed that they quickly learned the importance of taking turns in the kitchen, describing them as "control freaks."