Steve Harvey says he chose to stay out of Hollywood on purpose and has no regrets about it
Legendary comedian and radio host explains to Kris Fade his decision to prioritize rewards over awards and to embrace a global perspective rather than focusing solely on Hollywood long ago.
Steve Harvey engaged in a candid conversation with Kris Fade, openly discussing his feelings about why Hollywood never truly resonated with him and the reasons behind his decision to step away from it completely.
For an individual who has established one of the most recognizable brands in entertainment, Harvey remains remarkably unfazed by the Hollywood scene. He does not attend the parties. He doesn’t appear at every red carpet event. Family Feud no longer films in Los Angeles.
Production has been relocated to Atlanta, and Harvey has no intention of returning. “I don’t fit the Hollywood mold.” I was out there striving to succeed. I worked extensively in television in Hollywood, yet I never quite conformed to the Hollywood mold.
He explained how his perspective shifted when he started to perceive business in a different way. The awards ceased to hold significance for him once he understood what truly lay beyond the effort he put in. “I began to view business more in terms of rewards rather than awards.” I am indifferent to their invitation to the awards show. Kindly provide me with my verification I simply want the reward, and then I’ll sort everything else out.
That shift yielded results he had not even foreseen. “Through divine favor, I attained worldwide recognition.” I’m more of a global factor than a Hollywood factor now. He travels the world, and his name carries significance wherever he goes. Hollywood became the smaller piece of a much bigger picture.
However, the true reason for his distance extends beyond mere business strategy. Harvey views Hollywood as a snare for both your brand and your family. Social media complicates the ability to manage one’s narrative, and the addition of the Hollywood machine is something he was never prepared to embrace. “If you engage with Hollywood, they will ruin your brand.” Social media can be quite a treacherous environment. They don’t care at all about the truth. They aren’t concerned about facts at all. They prioritize clicks and views above all else, willing to go to any lengths to achieve them, even at the expense of your family.
He attributes the early inspiration to his father. “My father would often say, ‘Don’t give them a pin to stick you with.'” So if you participate in the Hollywood game, you’re essentially providing them with the pin to label you. If you attend Hollywood parties, they will capture your image in a compromising position, even from an unflattering angle, and accompany it with a caption.
Harvey has consistently presented himself as a family man above all else. Remaining distant from Hollywood was never a matter of arrogance. It centered around safeguarding. My brand stood out. I’m a devoted family man. I cherish my family. I may not have always been at my best, but my love for them has remained constant.
Such self-awareness is uncommon in this industry, and Harvey has demonstrated the effectiveness of operating on his terms for a considerable time.
