In an interview with The Times, The Great British Baking Show host Paul Hollywood opened up about his surprise at the show’s widespread celebrity following and his personal connections with a few famous fans.
Hollywood recalled a recent interaction that left him bemused. “Only last week I got a text from someone — ‘Do you know Kylie Jenner?’ And to be honest, I didn’t,” he admitted. Jenner had shared a video watching Bake Off on a private plane, declaring to her 390 million followers that it was her favorite show.
It’s crazy. When Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Michael J. Fox and Lynda Carter, and all these other people come out as big fans of the show, you think, this is weird — for a load of people in tents in the middle of the British countryside?
Hollywood remarkedAdvertisement
While Jenner was a surprise to him, Hollywood has a closer bond with Lively and Reynolds. Lively selected Hollywood to star in a 2023 commercial for her cocktail brand, Betty Booze, and their connection has extended beyond work.
I’ve got a lot of time for Blake. She texts occasionally, sort of to catch up on what she’s been up to, what Ryan’s up to. It’s lovely, because regardless of their job, they’re just a normal family, mum and dad to some great kids. They’re really nice people.
Hollywood shared
Hollywood, who shies away from the typical celebrity scene, values the genuine relationships he has formed.
I like that communication. I don’t have many friends who are celebrities, it’s not me. I don’t go to a lot of red-carpet stuff. I don’t go to the parties up in London. I don’t like London.
he noted
For Hollywood, the connection with fans — famous or otherwise — is more than enough.
Source: CNN