Celebrities have always been known for their larger-than-life personalities. But fame isn’t always as glamorous as it seems.
In a new episode of Jay Shetty’s podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, actor and comedian Kevin Hart opened up about the dangers of fame and how it can be a “monster” if you don’t handle it correctly.
Hart also shared his perspective on the cult of celebrity and said, “The biggest drug; it’s not cocaine. It’s not heroin. It’s fame. Anything you want, everything you want, it’s a thing, and if you can’t handle this thing, the consequences attached are severe. Do you know you? And are you okay with you? If you are not, it’ll break you.”
Hart told Shetty that fame is like a drug, and if you can’t handle it, its consequences can be severe. He shared that the monster of fame has been masked in different ways, but he’s been able to pinpoint them throughout the years.
The comedian explained that the world of ego can be dangerous if you start to buy into it, and it can lead to expectations and needs that you may not be able to fulfill.
Hart told Shetty, “That’s a monster that’s feeding that engine of, well, now that I’m making money, this is what I should have, this is how I should look, this is how I’m supposed to be. That’s a monster that you’re feeding because, ultimately, you’re buying in.”
The conversation also touched on Hart’s relationship with fellow comedians Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock. He shared that the three of them used to push each other to do their best, and Chappelle would often set the standard for the others to follow. Hart said Chappelle’s work inspired him, and it often motivated him to re-think his stand-up material.
The A-list star also opened up about his focus on generational wealth. He said he wanted to leave a piece of the pie for his children and make it normal for them to have a life of opportunity.
Hart’s new book, 8 Rules of Love — How to Find it, Keep it, and Let it Go, from Simon & Schuster, is set to release on Jan. 31, 2023.
