Sean Penn is done with the Oscars red carpet.
The three-time Academy Award winner, who recently won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, sat out this year's 98th Academy Awards ceremony and watched from home instead. According to reporting from Deadline Hollywood, Penn said the awards show has "always represented social discomfort" to him.
Penn spent decades at these ceremonies feeling out of place. This year, he opted out. The result was an enjoyable evening watching the ceremony on screen like everyone else.
"Better for my mental health," Penn said of the decision, according to the outlet. For someone who has walked that red carpet many times, it is a straightforward take on the pressure of awards season.
Penn's latest win for One Battle After Another is his third Oscar. But the appeal of acceptance speeches and standing ovations has faded. He prefers to watch the show from home.
The internet has taken notice of his candid comments. Fans are applauding Penn for prioritizing his peace of mind over industry expectations.
Whether Penn's approach inspires other A-listers to reconsider their Oscar attendance remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the three-time winner has made skipping the Oscars look like a reasonable choice.
