Taylor Lautner Opens Up About Life At 16 During Twilight Fame

In a sit-down interview with NBC’s Today, Twilight Saga Film star Taylor Lautner opens up about being thrust into the spotlight at 16.

WHO IS TAYLOR LAUTNER

If you’re a Twihard like me, you know exactly who Lautner is. However, I know not everyone devoured the Twilight books by Stephanie Meyer as I did. Nor did you start a podcast about it during the pandemic, but that’s beside the point.

Taylor Lautner plays Jacob Black, Bella Swan’s best friend, and werewolf pack leader. The films grossed over $3 billion at the box office. His face was everywhere. So, it’s not surprising to learn he was not able to live a “normal life” without being followed or recognized. We’re not talking about a handful of screaming young girls. We’re talking dozens, paparazzi, to the point where he can’t go to the grocery store, the movies, Mcdonalds. For an adult it’s already overwhelming, just imagine what it is like for a teenager.

“Not many things in life can come and happen overnight. Fame can. It also can disappear overnight. When I was 16, 17, 18 years old, waking up and trying to just go out for a walk or go on a date and I had 12 cars waiting outside my house to follow me wherever I’m going or show up to an airport or anywhere, and you have thousands of fans screaming. I went so many years either not leaving my house, or if I did, hat, sunglasses, and just like, scared. It built up something inside of me where I didn’t know it, but I was scared to go out. I’d get super anxious to go out. So I just didn’t.”

IS THE FAME AND SPOTLIGHT WORTH IT?

One could definitely question life after being thrust into such a rollercoaster spotlight at such a young age. However, when asked this question Lautner shares that years ago he would’ve said ‘no’. However, at this point in his life and career, he’s happy.

“In the moment, it got frustrating because you just wanted to live a normal life. But then when that’s taken away from you at all, you start to question yourself and start to be like ‘oh, do people not care about me anymore?’ When it goes away a little bit, you notice it, and that’s the dangerous part because that can mess with your mind. I am happy because of what it’s taught me. It’s made me who I am right now and for that I’m thankful. 

Since Twilight, Lautner has had a sparse career but is slowly building momentum again. He’s engaged to a self-program “Team Edward” girl and will be starring alongside Kevin James in Home Team coming to Netflix on January 28th. 

Check out the interview below and stay tuned to THS for more news.