Josh Duhamel Says Hollywood Can ‘Suck The Soul Out Of You,’ Discusses Reasons For Divorcing Fergie

Actor Josh Duhamel said he’s happy to have left Hollywood behind.

The 50-year-old actor discussed his thoughts on returning to his home state of North Dakota and how he’s changed since getting divorced from Black-Eyed Peas singer Fergie.

“I don’t think I ever really got comfortable with all of it,” he said during a conversation on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger.”

“It was just a lot. I just missed the simplicity of who I really am. I’m just not a guy who is comfortable going to red carpets, doing all the Hollywood stuff. I don’t hate it; I’m better at it now than I was, but it just took me a long time really feel like I fit in.”

Duhamel was married to Fergie from 2009 until 2019. He shares a son with her and says their relationship is friendly, but he doesn’t regret leaving the lifestyle behind. 

“We had a great time, but I think we kind of just outgrew each other and had very different interests,” the actor continued. “The older I got, the more I wanted to come back [to North Dakota] … [but] this is not for her. But I’ve got no hard feelings for it. I truly don’t.”

He added, “Hollywood, LA, and that whole lifestyle can suck the soul out of you if you’re not careful. I find myself sometimes when I’m there that I need to find a healthy outlet to get my hands dirty, to do something that gives me some kind of purpose.”

Duhamel has been married to Audra Mari for over a year. He said they’re ultimately better for each other because of their shared goals. 

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“Now, I’ve had a lot of success there, it’s afforded me a lot of things, very grateful for that, but it doesn’t mean I have to live that lifestyle,” Duhamel said of leaving Los Angeles.

He continued, “Having this place out here almost helps my career because I can get back to being who I really am. If I’m there and I get caught up in that world, you start to lose track of who you are. And I don’t think I’ve ever done that, thankfully, but there’s been moments where I could have gone off the grid for sure.”