Quinta Brunson opened up about the challenges of fame in Bustle’s cover story, published Monday.
The Abbott Elementary creator said she’s still learning to handle public attention. She’s particularly frustrated with how her personal life becomes news.
"Even if you don’t give a lot, people want whatever they can get, and will take whatever they can get," she told the outlet.
The 35-year-old actress specifically mentioned how her divorce was covered in the media.
“I remember seeing people be like, ‘She announced her divorce.’ I didn’t announce anything. I think people have this idea that people in the public eye want the public to know their every move. None of us do. I promise you.”
Brunson filed for divorce from Kevin Jay Anik on March 19, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple married in October 2021 after three years together.
Court documents show they had a postnuptial agreement in place. Their official separation date was listed as "TBD."
"No one wants [everyone] to know when you buy a house, when you move, when a major change happens in your personal life – it’s just that that’s public record information," she continued. "I hate all of it."
Learning to Ignore Outside Voices
Brunson said she’s learned to tune out opinions from people who don’t know her personally.
"Those are invisible voices that aren’t in your home with you, that aren’t in your personal life, that aren’t your friends," she noted.
She wants to stay connected with fans of her show. But personal decisions are different.
"I love my fans, I love the people who watch Abbott. So you want to hear them, and you want to listen to them, but when it comes to matters of your personal life and decisions you make, you do have to tune it out."
Brunson recently cut her hair short after thinking about it for months. She worried about how the new look might affect her career.
"When I finally cut it off, there was something very liberating about it," she said.
The change reminded her of something important about herself.
“You can still change and evolve and start over. Cutting my hair helped remind me that I am an artist first. I want to feel things. I want to do things. I want to make choices. I want to be a person, and not just stuck in having to be a certain way for business.”
Focusing on Self-Care
Brunson said she’s prioritizing herself during this period of change.
"It’s a transitional time," she acknowledged. "I think it’s true for me and my personal life, and it’s how I feel about myself, my career, and the world."
She’s focusing on taking care of herself and the people closest to her.
"I feel very serious about focusing on watering my own gardens, taking care of myself and the people around me who I actually interact with day-to-day."
"I used to look at that as a selfish thing," she added. "But there’s a reason they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help someone else."
