Keira Knightley says fame nearly drove her insane after years of paparazzi harassment

Keira Knightley opens up about the dark side of fame, revealing how paparazzi abuse pushed her to her breaking point

Keira Knightley is speaking candidly about how fame nearly destroyed her mental health.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actress revealed that relentless paparazzi harassment during her rise to stardom left her traumatized and on the verge of a breakdown.

In a recent interview with The Times of London, Knightley recalled how photographers would verbally abuse her in public to provoke violent reactions. “I went mad,” she admitted, describing how she was routinely followed and insulted. “It was mostly ‘whore,’ sometimes ‘slut,’ especially if I was with a boyfriend or family. They were trying to get a reaction they could sell.”

The Oscar-nominated star added that the harassment often turned dangerous, leading to high-speed chases and near accidents. “They were forcing people off the roads for bigger payouts,” she said, noting how tabloid culture thrived on celebrity meltdowns.

To fight back, Knightley came up with a clever strategy to make herself unprofitable. “I started wearing the same clothes every day,” she revealed. “If I was being followed, I stopped walking. I stood still for hours until they gave up.” Her quiet defiance eventually made paparazzi lose interest.

Ultimately, Knightley decided to step away from the spotlight entirely, traveling across Europe to regain her sense of peace. Now 40, the actress has found balance and no longer feels the pressure of fame that once consumed her.

Knightley’s story sheds light on the emotional toll of celebrity culture — and how even global stars must fight to reclaim their privacy and sanity.