Evangeline Lilly announced on Instagram that she is stepping away from Hollywood indefinitely and might return in the future.
First known for her role as Kate Austen in ABC's Lost, Lilly shared a 2006 video where she expressed a desire to retire from acting within ten years.
“Ten years from now, where would I like to be? I am terrified to admit this to the rest of the acting world but ideally 10 years from now I’d like to be a retired actress and have a family. I’d like to be writing and influencing people’s lives in humanitarian ways.”
In her recent post, Lilly expressed gratitude for being able to live out her vision and said she feels fulfilled in her new path.
Later in the video, she shared a video of a Maya Angelou interview, in which she also articulates wanting to be in process, and not staying in one place.
Lilly starred in Lost from 2004 to 2010, earning a Golden Globe nomination, and is well-known for playing Hope van Dyne/Wasp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She also appeared in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy at Tauriel.
She declined offers from Hugh Jackman to join the X-Men franchise and Joss Whedon to play Wonder Woman, emphasizing her desire for authenticity and personal fulfillment over fame.
Folks reached out to wish her well after her announcement.
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Many folks said they would miss her.
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People complimented Lilly on her ability to manifest change.
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Some commenters understood what Lilly was trying to say with her post, especially the portions with Maya Angelou.
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Lilly seemed pretty firm that she was retiring, but left room for the possibility that she would return to acting in the future if she desires.
