Academy Award-nominated actress Florence Pugh has revealed a harrowing personal ordeal, disclosing that during a severe mental health crisis earlier this year, she self-harmed by "chopping huge chunks out of my hands" in a moment of overwhelming despair. The Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two star shared the deeply personal account in a raw interview with British Vogue, published today, as part of a broader conversation about burnout, fame, and the pressures of Hollywood.
Pugh, 29, described the incident occurring in March 2025 while filming a demanding action sequence for an undisclosed Marvel project in Atlanta. Isolated in her trailer between takes, the actress—known for her fierce on-screen presence—reached a breaking point after months of relentless schedules, public scrutiny, and the lingering grief from her grandmother’s passing in 2024.
“I just… snapped,” Pugh told Vogue. “I had this kitchen knife from craft services. I don’t even remember grabbing it. Next thing I know, I’m in the bathroom, blood everywhere, and I’ve chopped huge chunks out of my hands. Not little cuts—chunks. I was trying to feel something other than the noise in my head. It was terrifying.”
The Midsommar star immediately sought medical attention on set, requiring stitches and psychological support. Production paused for 48 hours while Pugh entered an intensive outpatient program focusing on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and trauma-informed care. She credits her co-star and friend Zendaya, who was visiting the set, with intervening decisively: “She found me, held my face, and said, ‘We’re getting you help now.’ I owe her my life.”
Pugh’s disclosure comes amid a growing movement in entertainment to destigmatize mental health struggles, particularly among women in high-pressure roles. The actress has since become an ambassador for the UK-based charity Mind, donating a portion of proceeds from her cookware line, Cooking with Flo, to crisis intervention programs.
“I’ve played warriors, queens, scientists—but I’m human,” Pugh emphasized. “I bled. I broke. And I’m healing out loud because silence almost killed me. If one person sees this and reaches out instead of reaching for a blade, it’s worth it.”
The incident has not derailed Pugh’s career. She wrapped the Marvel film in July and is currently in pre-production for A24’s The Pack, a psychological thriller directed by Ari Aster. Her hands, now scarred but functional, bear faint crescent marks she refuses to cover with makeup on red carpets. “They’re my battle stripes,” she said.
Mental health advocates have praised Pugh’s courage. Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley stated: “Florence’s honesty is a lifeline. Self-harm thrives in shame; speaking it starves it.”
Pugh concluded her interview with a direct message to fans: “If you’re in crisis, text ‘FLO’ to 85258 in the UK or 988 in the US. You’re not weak for breaking—you’re brave for bending toward help.”
About Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh is a British actress and producer celebrated for Little Women, Fighting with My Family, Midsommar, and the Black Widow franchise. A champion of authenticity, she continues to redefine strength in Hollywood.
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