James Franco has spoken about his life since he was “pushed” from Hollywood in 2018 amid sexual misconduct allegations. The 46-year-old actor, known for films like 127 hours And Pineapple Expresstook a break from acting after facing allegations from former students of his now-defunct film school Studio 4. Franco was accused of inappropriate behavior, which led to a $2.23 million settlement in 2019 with two women who filed lawsuits.

During his time away from the spotlight, Franco said he had the chance to reevaluate his life and priorities. Reflecting on the experience, he noted, “It was cleared up and I was able to change.” He explained that his break gave him the opportunity to focus on personal growth and acknowledged that it was painful when he was told he was “bad” but ultimately necessary for his transformation.

Franco’s return to acting coincides with his role in the film Hello Joewhich marks his first project after the break. He shared diversity that despite the challenging time, he is grateful for the time off because it gave him the opportunity to change in a way that made him appreciate life better. “I am very grateful and hope to help with any of my projects,” he said.

Although Franco remains estranged from his longtime friend and collaborator Seth Rogen, he is focused on advancing his career. He described the break with Hollywood as a “good cause” and was proud of the work he had done on himself during this time.