Stranger Things is one of the most popular shows to ever stream on Netflix, with the cast rising to massive fame.
However, it was not always smooth sailing for Dacre Montgomery, who plays Billy in the series.
In an Instagram post, the successful actor detailed his experiences with anxiety, his long journey into acting and the pressure he faced in the industry to lose weight.
“When I was a kid, I was lost. I had a really tough time in school. I was a big kid who loved drama. I never got passing grades, I wasn’t popular or a gifted sports player. Girls were never interested in me,” he wrote in a caption accompanying a childhood picture of the star.
“I suffered from anxiety from a young age. I was distracted and I wasn’t focused. But I had a dream, I was lucky – I knew what I wanted to do.”
“And every night I went home and I focused on THAT. I visualised a future where my dreams became a reality.”
He revealed: “When I was 15 I failed my high school drama exams. When I was 16 I was told I needed to loose weight. When I was 17 I was told I should go to drama school and train. When I was 18 I was fired from my job. When I was in drama school I was told to leave. When I had a DREAM – I was told it wasn’t achievable.”
“Well, you know what…. I lost weight, I went to drama school and I never stopped wanting it, I never stopped being curious. I never let the failures get me down.”
“Because I believed in myself and I never let anyone tell me otherwise. You can do anything you set your mind to. So, go out there and get it!”
The actor also shared a screenshot of an old audition tape from a role he did not get, telling his 4.5 million followers that it took him 10 years if trying before he booked a role in a film or TV series.
On this week’s episode of The Gosscast, Goss.ie Founder Ali Ryan and Goss.ie Editor Kendra Becker chats through this week’s biggest stories.
Plus with the news that Gossip Girl is coming back to our TV screens, the girls chat about their favourite revivals on TV and the big screen.
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