Actress Evangeline Lilly Flees Hollywood at Height of Career: 'God Has a Plan'
Video from CBN News
Actress Evangeline Lilly Flees Hollywood at Height of Career: 'God Has a Plan'
"Actress Evangeline Lilly has had a sweeping Hollywood career, playing beloved characters in TV shows like "Lost" and films like "The Hobbit." But despite a wildly popular career, Lilly decided back in 2020 to step back from Hollywood — a decision that sparked quite a bit of media interest.
"It's been six years now," she said, noting the media caught on to the story after she posted a retrospective in 2024. "When I was 26, I was saying ... all the things I wanted in my life ... and I did it ... I'm there," she said. "I've already retired [by 2024 when the retrospective came out]. At that point, I've been retired for four years ... it's been a long time of adjusting." Lilly said she had no idea what the "consequences" of her decision might be, though she described moments of fear as she "let go of so much ... power, influence, and potential money."
Before becoming an actress, Lilly studied political science and international relations and wanted to become a missionary, humanitarian, or diplomat. "I wanted to make the world a better place," she said. "And there are many people who will claim that actors are making the world a better place, that they've had an impact on their lives. But...I've always wanted a much more hands-on impact. I've done 22 years of hands-on humanitarian work in Rwanda."
But Lilly said she wants to do more and wants to help people heal and find wholeness. "I love telling stories, but I'd like to tell stories of my own instead of being in front of the camera," she said. "I'd much prefer a quieter position. I've always hated being famous. I never made any secrets about that. I've always said being famous is the cost of the wealth that you can get as an actor. Like that's what you pay for — the wealth."
Now, she feels liberated and said she has stepped into a "total trust and surrender that God has a plan for my life." Despite mostly stepping out of Hollywood, Lilly is now lending her voice to a different type of project: "Legend of Destruction," a film that tells the "story of the Jewish revolt against Rome, which ended with the destruction of the Temple in the year 70." from the video introduction
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