FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP
In an interview with Variety, David Harbor (here during the world premiere of the last season of “Stranger Things”) reacts for the first time to the album inspired by his breakup with Lily Allen and returns to his bond with Millie Bobby Brown.
For months, David Harbor was silent. Since the release of West End Girlthe album in which his ex-wife Lily Allen discusses the end of their marriage through several particularly acerbic songs, the actor Stranger Things had never publicly reacted. It is now done.
In a long interview given to Varietythe 51-year-old American actor returns to this album released last fall, which transformed his separation from the British singer into a public affair. Without ever directly quoting David Harbour, several pieces described an unfaithful husband, manipulative or even incapable of investing in his relationship.
At the time, the album had largely fueled speculation around their breakup and placed the actor at the center of discussions on social networks. Faced with this story that has become viral well beyond Lily Allen’s circle of fans, David Harbor refuses to challenge his ex-wife’s right to tell her own version of the story, but also distances himself from the portrait painted in the album. “I consider that each artist has the right to draw on their experiences to create a work, and I therefore respect their approach”he explains.
The actor, however, is careful not to respond to the accusations or the interpretations aroused by the songs. “The stories are complicated”he sums up simply. Before adding: « I didn’t have it like that. » Although he refuses to publicly fuel the controversy, David Harbor nevertheless recognizes that this period had a profound impact on his personal life.
A period of great fragility
During this interview, David Harbor reveals that he went through a real crisis after the end of Stranger Things and the succession of controversies which accompanied this period of his life. “I had depression”he confides bluntly.
The actor, who has already spoken in the past about his bipolar disorders, explains that stress, media exposure and certain information published about him contributed to deteriorating his psychological state. He describes a period of confusion from which he is now trying to recover, while regretting the way in which mental health issues are often addressed publicly.
This period was also marked by rumors concerning his relationship with Millie Bobby Brown, his partner in Stranger Things. Several articles had relayed the supposed existence of significant tensions between the two actors during the filming of the last season. David Harbor assures today that these speculations do not reflect the reality of their relationship. After ten years working together as Hopper and Eleven, he describes a bond that goes far beyond that of simple colleagues.
“There is a very special bond between us. I love her, she loves me »he says.
The actor explains that disagreements may have existed over the years, as in any long-term working relationship, but believes that the rumors have largely distorted reality. A version confirmed by Millie Bobby Brown herself, who assures Variety having always felt safe by his side.
