Hayley Atwell remains a prominent figure in the movie world, with her vibrant and versatile performances in a number of projects over the years. She is best known for her portrayal of the character of Peggy Carter in several Marvel movies since 2011, when she landed her first role. The actress has also delivered standout performances in blockbuster franchises, such as the 2023 Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1 film, alongside legendary Tom Cruise and is now set to reprise her role in the highly awaited Mission: Impossible —The Final Reckoning, which is expected to be the last of the series.
However, beyond her on-screen success, Atwell has faced personal challenges, and she recently opened up about them and how a conversation with Tom Cruise helped her navigate her ordeal.
Hayley Atwell shares the advice she got from Tom Cruise to manage her anxiety
During an appearance on the Reign With Josh Smith Podcast, Atwell opened up about her struggles with social anxiety, acknowledging that it’s a shared experience many people face at some point in their lives. She explained that the condition manifests differently for everyone, often tied to personal insecurities or past experiences.
However, she revealed that she got invaluable advice from Tom Cruise, which changed her perspective. Atwell explained that the 62-year-old encouraged her to confront her fears head-on instead of avoiding them. He suggested that she examine her situation to pinpoint what might be fueling her insecurity, whether it was a person linked to past trauma or a perceived threat.
Hayley Atwell says Tom Cruise’s advice helped her
Atwell shared that although the advice she received seemed very simple, it profoundly transformed her approach to managing her anxiety. With guidance from Cruise, she could understand that examining her fears long enough would allow her to identify and label them appropriately.
The Christopher Robin actress explained that the ability to “name the demon” eventually became an essential weapon in her emotional toolkit, which liberated and enabled her to transform her struggles into solvable challenges. By confronting her fears directly, she realized it diminished their power, giving her the clarity to release their hold on her.