Dacre Montgomery is opening up about his decision to quit Hollywood.
The 30-year-old Australian actor first skyrocketed to fame in 2017 when he joined Stranger Things as Billy Hargrove, who he played until 2022.
After a three-year hiatus, Dacre will be starring in the new indie movie Went Up the Hill, which hits theaters on August 15.
In a new interview, Dacre revealed why took an extended break from Hollywood.
Keep reading to find out more…While speaking to The Daily Mail, Dacre addressed the “change” that the industry has undergone over the years.
“Traditional Hollywood stars existed because there was mystery,” Dacre explained. “Social media has done away with that. That’s a large part of why I dropped off the map for the last five years.”
“I’m not trying to compete with anyone else,” he added, “I’m living my truth and hopefully being able to pay the rent while I’m doing it.”
Beyond regaining his privacy, Dacre also emphasized his desire to reclaim his identity.
“I’ve given a piece of myself to every role I’ve played and that’s largely why I’ve taken time off,” he explained. “Lately, there’s been a lot of personal reflection about what I want in my career. I’m trying to gain a bit more control over where and what I’m working on.”
Last year, it was announced that Dacre will be starring alongside Bill Skarsgard in a new thriller.