Colton Haynes: Arrow, Anxiety, and Being More Authentic

TL;DR

Colton Haynes discusses authenticity, anxiety, and career challenges.

Transcript

• What kind of playbook would you tell your 14 year old self to follow? - To be more authentic to yourself because I got into this industry and was always being told by my entire team, you know, you can't be yourself, you can't be this, you can't, you know, lower your voice for certain things. But whenever I came out and was just more authentic to ... Read More

Key Insights

• Colton Haynes emphasizes the importance of being authentic, stating his life changed for the better once he embraced his true self.
• Haynes discusses the challenges of being in the entertainment industry, particularly the pressure to conform and the impact on his mental health.
• He shares his struggles with anxiety, explaining how it manifested physically and affected his ability to work, despite trying various medications.
• The importance of kindness and treating people well is a recurring theme, as Haynes credits his career success to maintaining good relationships.
• Haynes is working on a book titled 'Hypocrite Therapy,' highlighting the irony of giving advice he sometimes fails to follow himself.
• He humorously recounts a Twitter altercation with Taco Bell, illustrating a light-hearted approach to public interactions.
• Despite his success, Haynes admits to battling self-doubt and the temptation to take the path of least resistance.
• David Meltzer, the interviewer, and Haynes discuss the significance of persistence and consistency in achieving long-term success.

Questions & Answers

Q: What advice would Colton Haynes give to his 14-year-old self?

Colton Haynes would advise his 14-year-old self to be more authentic and true to himself. He reflects on the pressure he faced early in his career to conform to certain expectations, which stifled his true personality. Embracing authenticity, he believes, led to a more fulfilling personal and professional life.

Q: How does Colton Haynes cope with anxiety?

Colton Haynes copes with anxiety by being open about it and trying various medications. He describes how anxiety physically manifested in his life, causing him to faint and vomit, which impacted his ability to work. Haynes emphasizes the importance of discussing mental health issues openly to reduce stigma and find effective coping strategies.

Q: What is Colton Haynes' perspective on the entertainment industry?

Colton Haynes finds the entertainment industry challenging, particularly the pressure to fit certain molds. He shares how being authentic eventually led to more opportunities, despite initial resistance. Haynes values the relationships he has built in the industry, which have been crucial to his career success and personal growth.

Q: What book is Colton Haynes currently working on?

Colton Haynes is working on a book titled 'Hypocrite Therapy.' The book addresses the irony of giving advice to others while sometimes failing to follow it himself. It reflects his experiences and insights into personal growth, authenticity, and the challenges of living up to one's own standards.

Q: Why did Colton Haynes have a Twitter altercation with Taco Bell?

Colton Haynes humorously recounts a Twitter altercation with Taco Bell, where he jokingly criticized them, leading to a playful exchange. Despite the light-hearted nature of the interaction, it highlights Haynes' willingness to engage with brands and fans publicly, maintaining a humorous and approachable persona.

Q: What role does kindness play in Colton Haynes' career?

Kindness plays a significant role in Colton Haynes' career, as he attributes much of his success to treating others well. He believes in building strong relationships and being genuine, which has opened doors and provided opportunities throughout his career. Haynes emphasizes the importance of kindness in both personal and professional settings.

Q: How does Colton Haynes view his success and potential?

Colton Haynes acknowledges a tendency to take the path of least resistance, which he sees as a flaw in pursuing his potential. Despite experiencing early success, he recognizes the need for more consistency and effort to fully realize his capabilities. Haynes is aware of his strengths and areas for improvement, striving to balance them in his career.

Q: What is Colton Haynes' favorite part about acting?

Colton Haynes enjoys the people he meets through acting, highlighting the friendships and connections formed on set. He values the sense of family and camaraderie developed during projects, which enriches his experience in the industry. Haynes appreciates the collaborative nature of acting and the lasting relationships it fosters.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Colton Haynes discusses the importance of authenticity in his career and personal life, noting significant positive changes after embracing his true self. He reflects on the pressure to conform in Hollywood and how staying true to himself led to unexpected opportunities.

• Haynes opens up about his struggles with anxiety, describing its physical manifestations and the difficulty it caused in his professional life. He advocates for the importance of discussing mental health openly and the role of medication in managing anxiety.

• Throughout the interview, Haynes emphasizes the value of kindness and maintaining good relationships in the entertainment industry. He shares anecdotes from his career, highlighting how treating others well has contributed to his ongoing success and opportunities.