In A Different Man, Edward gives up on his dream of becoming a screen actor and turns to a profession in real estate. However, after spotting his former neighbor – a playwright – he tries to embark on a theatrical career, but ultimately ends up sidelined upon the arrival of Oswald.
When asked if there’s ever been a moment in his career where he’s struggled or even debated giving up on being an actor, Pearson jokes to LADbible: “Every morning, 9.00am, six inches from the mirror.”
However, he continues: “I think you decide what to be and go be it. And you push forward. […] And public opinion is a thing but I think you’re always where you need to be for a reason.”
The actor reflects it’s ‘certainly getting easier’ and acknowledges the industry has ‘gotten more inclusive and accessible for disabled actors,’ admitting he’s ‘nearly’ given up but ‘not quite’.
“There’s that little voice inside of you that says keep going, persevere, you’ll be alright,” he adds.
Taking part in A Different Man in particular challenged Pearson to ‘confront a little bit of, almost, imposter syndrome‘ that he was still holding onto.
‘A Different Man’ forced Adam Pearson to ‘confront a little bit of almost imposter syndrome’ (Matt Infante/ A24)
He explains the film is his fourth feature and he ‘rocked up’ thinking: “‘Why the hell are you here?’ ‘Are you here ‘cos you’re the only gig in town at this point?’”
But ultimately, Pearson reveals A Different Man proved to be a significant turning point in how he identifies as an actor.
He resolves: “This one is the one where I’m now happy to call myself an actor and not sort of a disabled actor – I think talent doesn’t need a qualifier.
“So for me, I sort of overcame a certain degree of imposter syndrome.”
And while Stan notes they had a ‘very good support system’ while working on the film in the form of writer and director Aaron Schimberg, Pearson had a special place he’d book into to find some moments of zen which Stan ‘never even knew […] existed’.
Adam Pearson would visit a cat cafe during the US press tour for the film as a way to unwind (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Universal)
Reflecting acting ‘is a rough thing anyway’ given how much time you spend ‘pretending to be someone else and that level of characterization,’ Pearson explains he’s a ‘big proponent of self care’ and during the US press tour for the film would regularly book himself into a cat cafe called Meow Parlour.
He adds: “I’m a big proponent of self love and putting little things in place, like quiet places or oases that you can go to to, that kind of re-energise your soul and give you joy.
“[…] So Friday, 12 ‘o’ clock, booked in, and just played with cats for an hour. And just doing things that regularly give your soul that breathing space are always a good thing to my mind.”
**Warning: Spoilers ahead.**
