A shy person must work harder to observe the obstacles that may hinder her career while a reserved person can make an excellent actor. A shy person is easily frightened and avoid being the centre of attraction. A reserved one restrains their words and actions.

I’m shy. People get confused. They think as an actor you can get up and be confident on the screen. Why aren’t you like this in normal life? Why can’t you act in your social life? ‘Because I can’t!’

Heath Ledger

Are you the kind of person who prefers to sit it out or observe from the corner? Maybe you are the kind that sits quietly in a group of friends and only contributes when asked to do so. We are all different, and some of us are shy or socially awkward, and crowds and gatherings are not a joy for us. So, what happens when you are drawn to the acting career? Can shy people be actors?

An actor must be sharp, intelligent, and well-read. So, whether you are shy or not, these qualities can make you a great actor. Shy people may not engage with the public eye, but they will do very well behind the camera. Being in the public eye takes more effort and energy from a person, something shy people do not have.

Acting is a skill that can be learned by anyone. The goal of the teacher in an acting class is to teach skills repeatably without considering the actor’s personality. She also adds that teaching is as simple as it gets. The teacher only needs to observe what the student is doing wrong and correct them. The focus is not on the personality but suggesting what the student would do differently to better the skill. Shy people have an equal chance at acting though they must overcome some obstacles to be better.

Think you are the only one in this dilemma of shyness and acting? Here are some celebrities you would never believe are shy!

  • Kim Kardashian West
    Well, you heard that right! Kim is camera shy, and it could not be further from surprising. In an interview, the actress admits that she is not the golden brazen media girl everyone thinks she is. She confessed that she is shy, reserved, and not as outspoken as everyone perceives. She even adds that she is the shy girl in a corner afraid to dance in a night club. Who would have thought?
  • Jessica Chastain
    Chastain is one actress who has openly admitted to being shy. In an interview, she told James Lipton that she is so shy and suffers from stage fright every time. She also says that acting for her is not about popularity and people knowing her name. On the contrary, she acts because there is so much, she wants to express and connect with people. Her shyness has not inhibited her career as she has bagged two Oscar nominations in just two years.
  • Zayn Malik
    The pillow talk singer and actor, has also admitted to being shy and socially awkward. In an interview back in 2012, he confessed to being a reserved personality though most people do not realize it. He said that he is mistaken for a bad boy while he is just a bit shy.
  • Jessica Simpson
    She also told Chicago Tribune in an interview in 2009 that she is timid. She adds that she is in the business because she is blessed with a gift, and she feels the need to share it with the world.
  • Beyonce
    Some years ago, queen Bey totally took us all by shock when she confessed to being shy. She went ahead to explain that Sasha fierce is a different person. “I wouldn’t like Sasha if I met her offstage,” she said. She adds that unlike Sasha fierce, she is not fierce at all. She is not flirtatious or as confident. She also says that what she feels on stage is different from what she feels anywhere else. In the interview, she also says that Sasha is her but an image she creates to protect herself from the things she does on stage and in the act.
  • Johnny Depp
    The talented actor owned up to his shyness while in an interview with Details magazine. He confessed that he does not like to be in social situations. In the interview, he says that he finds it fine to run and hide. However, thanks to his career, he has fewer chances to be observed as he is the one being observed.
  • Salma Hayek Pinault
    The Oscar-nominee actress, has also confessed to getting stage fright though most people would not notice. In an interview with HOLA! USA. She adds that if the camera is taken away and she is put in front of a live audience, she would die. It is that bad!
  • Lady Gaga
    Ooh yes, Gaga is on the list of actors you would never perceive to be shy. Joanne crooner told Hollywood Scoop that Hollywood is not really her scene. Gaga reportedly says that Hollywood takes her back to high school over again, making her feel like she does not belong. While admitting to her shyness, she says that she likes keeping to herself, and her focus is her music. However, she adds that when she meets people, she has a lot in common with, everything goes so well.
  • Britney Spears
    The pop icon in her documentary I am Britney Jean confesses that she has always been shy from when she was just a little girl. She adds that she was not made for the biz or acting industry, but she cannot help it.

Actors Takeaway:
can actors be shy

We could go on and on, but we will not exhaust all the actors and big stars in the industry who are shy. The list is endless. So, can actors be shy? Yes, an actor can be shy! What matters is what they are willing to do and how they choose to use their shy nature to enhance their career!

RELATED ACTORS RESOURCES

How to Become an Actress with No Experience
Famous Actors with No experience
Actors Who Didn’t Start Acting until Later in their Lives
How Famous Actors Got Started
I Want to Become an Actor – Where Do I Start my Career
Will I Make it as an Actor – Things You Must Do
How To Become an Actor with No Experience
How To Get into Acting at 30 + Become an Actor Later in Life
How To Get into Acting at 20 + Become an Actor in your 20s
How To Get into Acting at 18 + Become an Teenage Actor
How To Get into Acting at 14 + Become an Teenage Actor