LaKeith Stanfield took to social media on Thursday and revealed that he was in a “pretty bad space mentally” while filming the incredible Netflix film, The Harder They Fall.
The 30-year-old actor shared how he experienced “crippling anxiety and suffered silently inside” every day on set.
To deal with it, LaKeith said he would drink every night after work and try to laugh off his pain.
But, as he continued to film, something beautiful happened and he forged a bond with his horse that forced him to be strong.
The best news is LaKeith Stanfield also shared that he is almost 6 months sober.
Read his full post below.
The worst part of filming this movie was that i was in a pretty bad space mentally. I couldn’t see what life had in store to teach me about myself that i needed to know.
I loved the horses so much because of their silent strength and beautiful patience with my reluctant fear at having never rode a horse before. They weren’t shy in making me be great.
One day “magnolia” (that wasn’t the horses name but i refused to not call him that in my head) bucked me off, and in that moment i heard him loud and clearly. BE STRONG OR GET OFF.
I took control of the reigns and eventually we bonded so much so that it was emotional for me to leave the farm once i wrapped. I love how they don’t judge you. I love how they are always reliable and unconditional.
Now all i had to do was learn to take control of my life in the same way. What better team to create such a profound memory with in J and the talented cast.
There is a sadness in me if you look closely into the eyes of Cherokee. Everyday on set i was experiencing crippling anxiety and suffering silently inside. I would drink every night after work and try to laugh off my pain.
The real Cherokee made me keep Fighting as i thought about how he had to fight to survive. How the youth in Chicago has to fight everyday to survive.
Here’s to fighting through the trauma to get to myself. Here’s to almost 6 months sober. Here’s to the fact that the bigger the goal God has for them, the taller they stand and, The Harder They Fall. ❤️????
See LaKeith’s original post below.
You never know what someone is going through.
But, I can say despite all of his personal challenges, LaKeith delivered a wonderful performance.
Be sure to check out the film this weekend on Netflix and keep LaKeith in your thoughts and prayers.
