During his acceptance speech at the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards, Robert Downey Jr. created a buzz on social media when he casually mentioned taking a beta blocker.
The 58-year-old actor clinched the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for his role as Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer.”
Addressing the audience at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, Downey remarked, ‘I took a beta blocker, so this is going to be a breeze,’ alluding to the anxiety-reducing properties of the drug.
Reactions to the A-list actor’s disclosure were mixed among fans. Some found it made him more relatable, while others expressed concerns given Downey’s past struggles with substance abuse.
Beta blockers, primarily used for managing abnormal heart rhythms, can also be employed to alleviate situational anxiety, such as stage fright.
One social media user shared, ‘Just like Robert Downey Jr., I also take a beta blocker before any public speaking engagement.’
Another commented, ‘Robert Downey Jr. is so real for saying he took a beta blocker because I take them too, and I would for a moment like this as well.’
Expressing solidarity, another fan said, ‘RDJ taking a beta blocker before the #GoldenGlobes is so relatable because I too get incredibly anxious before hearing any sort of news.’
Some fans commended Downey for his candidness, while others jokingly suggested that hosting duties should be given to him while on beta blockers for an improvement.
However, a few users expressed concern over Downey’s remark, with one stating, ‘Robert Downey, Jr. joking about drug use. Whatever.’
Another skeptic remarked, ‘Ha ha “Beta blocker.” Sure, Robert Downey Jr.,’ while someone else speculated that he was ‘still on drugs.’
