I think I started acting because I didn’t feel seen. I used to OBSESS over what people thought about me, thinking if I was up on a screen or a stage, i’d feel worthy.
Now that has shifted. I'm not too worried about what people think anymore. The truth is most of you reading this won’t ever really know me. You might think: “oh, he seems nice... he has a nice chin... We DESPERATELY needs some sun..”
You might see glimpses of me in
my work or in an interview where I'm usually pretty honest, but you still won’t khow the real me. (Or maaaybe, if we are lucky, we will cross paths!)
But letting go of how everyone sees me is what finally allowed me to start seeing myself. As l've grown more confident, my relationship with my craft is deepening, and I am ready to push my limits. I’m having so much more tun. I feel so much more free. Even in pretending, l learn about myself.
I love what I do for a completely different reason than when I started. My work has the power to make others feel seen. How freaking cool that!?
— michael johnston for nineteen92