Johnny Depp has described Hollywood as a “racket” and expressed his disdain for the competitive nature of showbiz. The actor, known for his role in “Pirates Of The Caribbean,” revealed that due to his fame, he is unable to do ordinary things like visiting a book store, and the only place where he feels comfortable is his hideaway in the Bahamas.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, when asked where he feels most like himself, Depp said, “Well, that is an interesting question for me because obviously my life is a little bit different than other people’s. I long to go out into the world, experience things, see stuff, go to bookstores. But it doesn’t work that way for me anymore.”
He elaborated, “Where I feel the most like myself in this world, and where I go to feel absolutely normal, is my place in the Bahamas because it’s an island and nobody’s looking at me.”
Talking about the soothing effect of the ocean at his island home, Depp added, “The idea of being under, free in the ocean, with the wind and sun hitting you, and the shimmering ripples across the water, it cleanses your mind.”
Contrary to rumors of excessive spending on wine and indulgent living, Depp insisted, “The thing that intrigues me most is the simplest way of living. I don’t have a decadent lifestyle.”
He further explained, “Everything boils down to real simplicity for me. When you’re on the island, it’s not like staying in some fancy hotel. It should reflect what it is, a simple island house.”
Depp appeared to be referencing a new property he owns in the Bahamas, as he sold his private 60-acre Little Halls Pond Cay island to JK Rowling in 2016.
Regarding his perception of the entertainment industry as a “racket,” Depp said, “The competitive nature of the industry is something I’ve been a part of for years, but I’ve never felt the need to be competitive with anyone. I don’t care about who wins what or makes more money. It’s counterproductive to the actual work as an actor.”