Hollywood star Jason Momoa has opened up about the challenges of enjoying a normal night out with his family, revealing that constant interruptions from fans sometimes force him to appear rude to protect his private time with loved ones.
The Aquaman actor discussed the issue during an appearance on the At The Bar podcast, where he spoke about fame, socialising in pubs and the difficulty of balancing public attention with his personal life.
Momoa acknowledged that he appreciates fans who are excited to meet him, but said their enthusiasm can become overwhelming when he is spending time with people he rarely gets to see.
“It’s tough for me. ’Cause generally people are really, really excited and that’s awesome, ’cause I get excited when I see my people that I really like,” he explained.
However, the actor said the situation changes when he is enjoying a private moment with his children or someone close to him.
“I’m with someone I haven’t seen forever and, yeah, with my kids right now, and people just don’t give a shit,” Momoa said, expressing frustration over how frequently his personal time can be interrupted.
The Hollywood star shares two children, Lola and Nakoa-Wolf, with his former wife, actress Lisa Bonet. He explained that because he does not get to spend as much time with his children as he would like, he is sometimes unwilling to stop what he is doing to accommodate fans seeking photographs or conversations.
“I don’t get to see my kids that much, like, if you pull my attention away from something, I’m like, ‘I’m sorry, no, this is not the right time,’” he said.
Momoa admitted that turning people away can leave him looking unfriendly, but argued that he would rather risk being misunderstood than lose precious time with his family.
“Most of the time I look like an asshole, but at least I don’t look like an asshole missing [my] kids or if I’m missing my lady,” he added.
The actor also described becoming protective when fans approach his partner, actress Adria Arjona, during their private outings.
“I’m literally a, armour around my lady, like, ‘Go away,’ and they’re just like, ‘I love you, man!’ I’m like, ‘Get away, bro! You’re gonna give me killed!’” he said, humorously describing the awkwardness of trying to shield his partner from unwanted interruptions.
Despite his frustration, Momoa stressed that he does not dislike his fans and would still prefer to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where he can socialise freely with other people.
“I still want to be like, ‘Hey, I want to be hanging out with everyone.’ And then it just turns into like a fucking circus in town,” he said.
Momoa’s comments highlight a challenge that comes with being a highly recognisable public figure: ordinary activities can quickly attract attention, even when a celebrity is trying to spend time away from work.
The actor has built an international following through roles in Game of Thrones, Aquaman and Dune. While his fame has brought him opportunities across film and television, his latest remarks suggest that maintaining boundaries around family time remains important to him.
His message is not that fans should stop appreciating celebrities, but that recognising a public figure does not automatically mean every private moment is an appropriate opportunity for an interaction.
For Momoa, sometimes the priority is simply being a father and partner rather than a Hollywood star.
