Luke Evans shares his life lessons: ‘The best decision I ever made was to call the Samaritan’

Actor and singer Luke Evans began his career with pivotal roles in the Boy George musical Taboo and Peter Gill’s play Small Change at London’s Donmar Warehouse.

Then, his journey took him to Hollywood, where he landed roles in The Hobbit, Beauty and the Beast, the Fast and the Furious series and in hit television dramas like Nine Perfect Strangers. 

It’s a far cry from his early years in Wales, where he grew up in a heavily religious family as a Jehovah’s Witness. Bullied in school for being both a Jehovah’s Witness and gay, he left the religion — and his family — for London when he was just 16.

In his heartfelt memoir, Boy From the Valleys: My Unexpected Journey, he recounts an extraordinary life of challenge and joy. Here, Evans shares the lessons that life has taught him along the way.

Luke on asking for help

The best decision I ever made was to call the Samaritan. I was a gay kid in a religious household, and I couldn’t speak to anybody.

I felt alone and isolated and wondered whether I was the only person in the world that felt the way I did. He told me I wasn’t alone and that I would also be happy, and I would find my people and find my life. Those words stuck with me for a very long time. 

Luke Evans on leaving home

Sixteen was a really pivotal moment in my life. It was the year that I made the decision to leave home. It is a very young age to leave your parents’ home, your family home. If I could speak to my younger self at that point, I would probably tell him that he was doing the right thing, and it was all going to be OK.

Luke on the power of saying no

One of the best bits of advice I’ve ever been given was from a much older actor who told me many years ago, “You wouldn’t understand this now,” he said, “but one day you’ll understand the most powerful word you have in your vocabulary is ‘no.’”

No doesn’t necessarily mean you are saying it in a negative way or stopping yourself from growing. No in business can be an incredible thing. It opens [you up to] other opportunities that you didn’t necessarily know [about] or would never have known you’d have if you’d said yes. Don’t be afraid to say it. 

Luke on facing failures

The best bit of professional advice I think I’ve been given is to swing with the punches, accept the knockbacks, rejections and failures, but don’t dwell on the losses. Just celebrate the wins. 

Luke on happiness

Happiness is about living your life to the full… there’s a real depth of happiness that comes with being your authentic self. Some days are easier than others, but to be happy with yourself provides a sense of serenity and calmness. When you’re happy with yourself, everything else in the world just seems a little easier. 

Luke’s life motto

My life motto is, “Life: Take it, breathe it, live it, love it.”

Luke’s best pieces of advice

Take opportunities when they arise. Sometimes they’re not obvious and sometimes they’re scary, and sometimes they’re too good to be true. But when they come your way, take them if you can because opportunities are things that can change your life. 

To any Attitude reader that may be feeling a little lost or struggling or going through a dark point in your life, which we all do, I’d say you’re not alone, but be brave and be unapologetically yourself. Live your life, because life is for living, not for observing. 

Boy From the Valleys: My Unexpected Journey is published by Penguin Books and out now