One would think Ryan Reynolds has all the confidence in the world- especially with his quick wit and charm. The actor has always been known as the cool, suave guy that everyone wants to be in the entertainment industry. However, the self-assurance he projects on the outside may not always line up with how he feels on the inside. Luckily, the actor has been quite open about his mental health struggles.

Years before the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, when Reynolds was still on the promotional trail for the second installment of the superhero franchise, he candidly shared his experiences with anxiety and how it has shaped his personality over the years.

Ryan Reynolds did a profile interview for The New York Times back in 2018, where he opened up to fans about the vulnerable side of him as an entertainer. It turns out that the Deadpool star, who can turn anything into a laugh in interviews, is often, behind the scenes, a nervous wreck. He has been plagued by dread and nausea before every talk-show appearance. “I have anxiety, I’ve always had anxiety,” said The Voices star. There are days when the anxiety is mild, but he has also “been to the depths of the darker end of the spectrum”. 

During Ryan Reynolds' days on the ABC sitcom, Two Guys and a Girl aka Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, he chose to warm up the audience before performing, partly to endear himself but mostly to redirect his panic or, as he puts it, “the energy of just wanting to throw up.” It seems that, much like every other funny guy out there, Reynolds has crafted his wicked sense of humor by turning a lifetime of angst into comedy. Nonetheless, this was not the only time the actor had opened up about his anxiety. 

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Reynolds once shared that all the confidence he exudes in interviews and public appearances is just a façade.

Ryan Reynolds has been seemingly surviving with the 'fake it ’til you make it' approach to getting ahead all his life. While speaking to CBS Sunday Morning in 2022, the actor revealed the duality of his personality that often flies under the radar of fans. He shared how he feels like he might nearly pass out or even lose it every time he is backstage, waiting for his turn to hit the stage. However, everything changes the moment he gets up on the stage and faces the crowd.

“My heart rate drop, and my breathing calm, and I just sort of go out and I'm this different person,” explained Reynolds. And that is the guy not just fans, but also the Free Guy actor himself, loves the most. "God, I'd love to be that guy," he exclaimed.  Yet, in between his vulnerable admissions of anxiety and his confident, witty persona, Reynolds has firmly established himself as a heavyweight in the industry.

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What do you think about Ryan Reynolds' lesser-known anxious self? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!