Share and Follow
Jonah Hill has a personality on screen that is big and gregarious. Because of this, fans and reporters alike tend to imagine the Don’t Look Up star would be an open and funny book about his life. But in reality, Hill is quieter and more subdued, especially when it comes to the topic of his weight.
Throughout his career, Hill has had both larger and small frames. Both of which have been commented on. And because of this, when the 21 Jump Street star had had enough, he took to Instagram in 2021 to let followers know that it “doesn’t feel good” to read any comments about his body, positive or negative.
However, this has not stopped reporters from doing just that over the years. And every time that they do, Hill feels uncomfortable, specifically because the reason why he is being interviewed is not about his appearance. It is about his latest project. All of this finally culminated with Hill deciding that he would no longer do press junkets in order to protect his mental health. A move that was not surprising given that for over a decade, his appearance was scrutinized and talked about by nearly every media outlet there was, with interviewers growing more brazen as the years went by.
Here is why Jonah Hill was completely justified in refusing to promote his movies after one specific interview.
A Jonah Hill Interview Got Awkward, Fast
In 2011, Hill created an animated show named Allen Gregory. The show was about a pretentious seven-year-old who is raised by two gay fathers. A show that may have been ahead of its time for Fox viewers. As, after only one season, the animated series was canceled.
Before the show even aired, however, the 21 Jump Street star went on a press tour. This is the standard in Hollywood for a celebrity as it allows “reporters, influencers, bloggers,” and the like to “tell a story” while putting out the buzz about a new project.
Not only do those giving the interview give exclusive information to those doing the interviewing, but there is also a rapport built up as well. And because of this, those that there is a good rapport with will be the go-to interviewers for future projects. It makes for a win-win situation for all involved.
However, there are those interviews that do go bad. While it is to be expected, they sometimes come from the most unlikely of places. And the interview of all interviews that went awry for Hill, took place at Georgia Tech.
Why The Question Of Jonah Hill’s Weight Came Up
Hill began his weight loss journey in 2011. As such, when he was on his press tour for Allen Gregory, he looked different than he had in the past. And while Hill likely recognized that questions about his weight loss would come up, there would have been no way for the War Dogs star to know just how cruel the line of questioning would be.
“What made you decide to make the change?” Hill was asked by the reporter, a question that appeared innocent enough on the surface. “I just decided I wanted to be healthier,” The Wolf of Wall Street star explained. “I went and saw a nutritionist. That’s what I did. And stuck to it.”
Read Related Also: Jeremy Renner was trying to save nephew when crushed by snow plow
At this stage of the interview, most reporters would move on to another topic. However, the Georgia Tech reporter not only overstepped bounds, but the line of questioning also became downright rude.
“But are you still considered ‘the fat guy’?” the reporter asked. “When you go to a party or anything, because I run into that a lot. I’m the fat one. So are you ‘the fat guy’ in Hollywood still or is everybody like ‘look at you’ and ‘oh, wow, this is great’ because now you’re healthy?”
It appears that the reporter was trying to show that there was a commonality between themselves and Hill. But all that was done was royally insult a Hollywood A-lister on a college radio show.
How Jonah Hill Shut Down The Reporter
There were many ways that Hill could have shut the reporter down. He could have gotten angry. He could have stormed out. He could have even laughed off the line of questioning. But instead, the Moneyball star used his quick and biting wit to end the interview in its tracks.
“Do you have any other questions that are smart?” Hill responds to the reporter.
It should be noted that there was more than one interviewer in the room with Hill. And when this question was shut down, another reporter immediately jumped in to help diffuse the awkwardness in the room.
Why The Question Of Weight Bothered Jonah Hill
While Hill appears to be very confident and self-assured on screen, his personality does not reflect the same. And because of this, this question and any other questions about his weight have a tendency to make the Get Him to the Greek star uncomfortable.
“I spent most of my young adult life listening to people say I was fat, gross, and unattractive,” Hill explained. It was because of these comments that Hill was never able to realize his “own self-worth” during his teenage years. And as a result found that he was very sensitive to criticism of his body, regardless of whether it was good or bad.
Hill explained that he is still “under construction.” He admits that he is getting better about loving himself, but it has taken years to get there. And part of that healing is not only getting physically healthy but mentally healthy as well.
Why Jonah Hill Does Not Answer Questions About His Weight Today
Hill may have put up with the press in the past or brushed off when fans made rude comments, but after discovering self-love, that all came to an end. And it was eloquently expressed once and for all by the Superbad star in an Instagram post to fans.
“I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I wasn’t in my mid 30s even in front of family and friends. Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by the press and interviewers,” Hill explained.
“So the idea that the media tries to play me by stalking me while surfing and printing photos like this and it can’t phase [sic] me anymore is dope. I’m 37 and I finally love and accept myself.”
This self-love along with choosing to no longer do press tours has helped Hill find confidence in himself that he never knew he had. And by protecting himself by not being exposed to potentially triggering comments or experiences, that confidence should only continue to grow.
