Constantly seeking validation is the dark side of celeb culture

ACelebs sort of become these power-hungry narcissists. It’s a pitfall of fame.

CHACE CRAWFORD, Actor

ctor Chace Crawford’s character, The Deep, from the sci-fi superhero series, The Boys, isn’t your normal guy, who you can slot as good or bad. He comes with his eccentricities, and that’s what makes him popular with the audience, often making his scenes meme-worthy.

Besides the fun quotient, The Boys also touches upon several social issues, one of them being toxic celebrity culture. “The characters being superheroes is sort of the lens through which all this is shown [to the viewers],” says Crawford, in a conversation with us in Sydney, Australia.

He explains, “They (celebs) sort of become these powerhungry narcissists. It’s just so self-centered and that’s kind of a pitfall of being a celebrity... They feel that all the attention is on them all the time. It can become its own monster. So, constantly needing validation from others is the dark side of celebrity culture. But, then there are people that are welladjusted and handle it well in the real world; but no one on our show (chuckles).”

Most characters on The Boys — whether good or bad — are fighting vulnerabilities within themselves. And after portraying such intense roles for three consecutive seasons, it would be natural for the actors to also get to know their own insecurities better. Mention this to Crawford, and he jokes, “I have no blind spots.” On a serious note, he adds, “The Deep does have body insecurity. He has some daddy issues as well... It is funny, weird, pathetic and sad, all at the same time. And human. It’s messy.”

As talks steer to the show’s fanbase in India, Crawford gets excited and says, “Let’s get that invite, I would love to come [to India]. I want to check it all out, the food and a lot more.”