Dylan Minnette's Decision to Step Away from Acting Due to Losing Passion
Former '13 Reasons Why' actor, Dylan Minnette, opens up about his departure from acting, citing the loss of passion and feeling like it had become just a job.
Dylan Minnette Sparks Romance Rumors With Model Isabella Elai at Coachella After Lydia Night Split- Details 002
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Dylan Minnette decided to step back from his budding acting career after gaining popularity on the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why.
He made this choice because he realized that acting was starting to feel more like a job rather than a true passion that he deeply cared about.
"I appeared on 13 Reasons Why, which became really popular and was a highlight of my acting career," shared Minnette, 27, during an episode of the Zach Sang Show podcast on Thursday, May 23. However, he also mentioned that it started to feel more like a job rather than just something fun and inspiring.
Minnette portrayed the main character, Clay Jensen, in 13 Reasons Why, a series that aired over four seasons between 2017 and 2020. The first season focused on Clay's quest to uncover the reasons behind a classmate's suicide. The show, executive produced by Selena Gomez, also featured actors like Tommy Dorfman, Katherine Langford, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, and Kate Walsh.
After Minette’s breakout, he starred in the popular 2022 Hulu series The Dropout and also appeared in the horror film Scream that same year.
Since then, he has decided to concentrate on his music career with his alt-rock band, Wallows. In the band, he is the lead vocalist and guitarist, joined by drummer Cole Preston and singer-guitarist Braeden Lemasters. They started the band as teenagers back in 2011, and have already released three albums. Wallows have performed at various venues, including Coachella in 2022.
Minette mentioned on the Zach Sang Show that he is determined to take Wallows as far as possible.
He expressed, "I believe I have the opportunity to focus on this goal and push it to its limits. To achieve this, I need to dedicate all my time and effort into it, treat it seriously, and demonstrate to everyone that we are truly committed."
While music is his passion and source of inspiration, he is not yet ready to completely abandon acting. He recently expressed to his team his desire to return to the screen, but the timing was not right due to the actor's strike.
He believes that he still has something valuable to offer in the realm of acting. As he stated, "I do feel like I have something to give, and that’s probably acting … I feel like I’m starting to feel inspiration for that again." He plans to pursue acting when the time is right, possibly after fulfilling his responsibilities with his band Wallows and taking a break.
Editor's P/S:
Dylan Minnette's decision to prioritize his passion for music over acting highlights the importance of personal fulfillment in career choices. While he found success in the popular Netflix series "13 Reasons Why," it became clear that the demands of acting were overshadowing his true calling. His shift towards his band, Wallows, reflects a desire to reconnect with the joy and purpose that initially drove him towards the arts.
Minnette's journey also emphasizes the fluidity of creative pursuits. While he may have temporarily stepped back from acting, his intention to return in the future suggests that his passion for the craft remains. This flexibility allows artists to explore different mediums and find balance between their various interests. It serves as a reminder that personal growth and artistic expression can take many forms, and that it is possible to navigate transitions and pursue multiple passions throughout one's life.
