Chace Crawford Opens Up About Career Struggles Post-Gossip Girl
Finding Freedom After a Golden Cage
Chace Crawford, best known for his charming role as Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl, recently bared his soul about the challenges he faced in the aftermath of the show’s success. In a heartfelt conversation on the Good Guys podcast with Josh Peck and Ben Soffer, the 39-year-old actor reflected on the “box” he felt trapped within after his breakout role, highlighting the struggles of transitioning from a teen heartthrob to a versatile actor.
The Illusion of Success
Crawford candidly shared that the glitz and glamour often associated with Hollywood fame can be misleading. “There’s a common misconception that actors are rolling in dough and have complete control over their careers,” he explained. However, he revealed that following the end of Gossip Girl, he endured a significant career lull, feeling lost in what he described as a “wilderness” of uncertainty.
The former teen star lamented, “As big of a show as it was, coming off it as a still young guy, it’s like, ‘That’s not cool anymore,’ and I’m in this box.” This feeling of confinement held him back, as he wrestled with the label of a “CW pretty boy” with limited range. He admitted that he often judged himself harshly during this period, a sentiment many actors likely resonate with.
A Turnaround with The Boys
After the dust settled from his Gossip Girl fame, Crawford found himself on the casting fringes. Before he found his footing again, he appeared in the short-lived series Blood & Oil and a few episodes of Casual. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that everything changed dramatically when he landed the quirky role of The Deep in Prime Video’s hit series The Boys.
Recalling that pivotal moment, he said, “I remember that audition hitting my inbox and thinking, ‘This sounds wild!’” After reading the pilot, he felt an undeniable connection to the character, referring to The Deep as someone he could relate to intimately. “I instantly felt confident and excited about my take on the character,” he recalled, a sense of relief washing over him after his years of uncertainty.
The Future Looks Bright
Now, with The Boys gearing up for its fifth and final season in 2026, Crawford can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The show has not only resurrected his career but also solidified his place as a versatile actor in an industry often rife with labels. As the series continues to push boundaries with its satirical take on superheroes, Crawford expresses immense gratitude for this newfound opportunity.
Crawford’s journey serves as a potent reminder that the road to success is rarely linear—sometimes, it’s about breaking free from the confines we place upon ourselves to truly soar.
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