While appearing on the podcast “Reign With Josh Smith,” actress Hayley Atwell shared a valuable piece of advice from Tom Cruise on how to overcome social anxiety in Hollywood.
Best known for her role as the iconic Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, British actress Hayley Atwell has also made a mark in the summer 2023 release of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1.” In this latest installment of the renowned action series, she plays a thief named Grace who teams up with Ethan Hunt, and she is expected to return in the saga’s final chapter, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” hitting theaters on May 21, 2025.
“Try Doing the Opposite”
During her recent guest appearance on the podcast “Reign With Josh Smith,” Atwell discussed her encounter with Tom Cruise on set. She revealed a crucial piece of advice he gave her to combat social phobia, whether on set, in various Hollywood circles, or elsewhere. This life lesson is universally applicable:
“When you enter a room and feel anxiety creeping up, making you want to withdraw into yourself, you start overthinking, wondering ‘Do I look weird? Do I seem strange?’ You shrink into yourself, and Tom says: ‘Try doing the opposite,'” Atwell explained, and elaborated:
“Try to take in the bigger picture, look across the room, and ask yourself… ‘What is it that’s triggering my insecurity? Is it that person over there who reminds me of the bully from school? Or someone who didn’t give me a job? Or someone who was mean to me once?’ If you observe long enough, you can name that anxiety.”
“If Something Scares You, Focus on It”
Consistent with his own approach to challenges, such as climbing one of the world’s tallest buildings or leaping into a canyon on a motorcycle, Tom Cruise advised Hayley Atwell to pinpoint the exact source of her anxiety and face it head-on. She continues:
“As soon as I can name exactly what it is, the overwhelming feeling of floating anxiety disappears, and I now have a chance to address it. If something scares you, focus on it. Try not to close your eyes, don’t look away. Keep your eyes on it, and often, you’ll find insights on how to overcome it.”
Revisit the trailer for the latest “Mission Impossible”…
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A passionate journalist, Iris Lennox covers social and cultural news across the U.S.