Why Singer Cody Simpson “Disappeared” From Hollywood

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Cody Simpson is diving into new waters. 

The famous singer known for “La Da Dee” shared reasons behind his absence from the limelight in Hollywood for many years, and eventually moved back to his native land, Australia.

On July 27th, a post from Cody appeared, where he shared a query that he’s been frequently asked by fans for quite some time now, phrasing it as, “Where have you been?

Additionally, he provided some footage showing his swimming practice – from pull-ups at the gym, to laps in the pool, all the way to participating in a broadcasted competition.

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He also showed videos of him training as a swimmer – from doing pull-ups at the gym, swimming laps in the pool, to even competing in a televised race.

In his message, he said, “You seem more joyful,” noting that this is a comment he frequently gets, followed by, “I appreciate it! I’ve been working tirelessly for years to realize my childhood ambition of joining the Australian Swim Team.

In fact, prior to his pop stardom with hits such as “Home to Mama” and “iYiYi” in the 2010s, Cody had a career as a competitive swimmer. He rekindled this passion for swimming by qualifying for and joining Australia’s national swim team in 2022. This was achieved after his impressive performance at the Australian Swimming Championships held in Adelaide, where he placed third behind Olympians Matt Temple and Kyle Chalmers.

After spending two years training with the Australian Swim Team, he decided to step away from competitive swimming in 2024, as he failed to secure a spot for the Paris Olympics at the Commonwealth Games held in the United Kingdom that year.

In June 2024, he posted on Instagram, “I’ve left no stone unturned for the past four years, and I can now relax knowing that I gave it my all each day and addressed every minor concern to push this as far as it could possibly go. And boy, did it make some serious progress!

Cody’s professional athletic career might be over, but he’s confident there are many more exciting ventures ahead for him. Interestingly, soon after retiring from sports, the musician put out two new singles – “On My Mind (Forever Version)” and “Fly” – marking his return to music after a nearly two-year hiatus.

Cody expressed, “I’ll always strive to achieve extraordinary things in my life,” translating to, “Aim high, reach for the stars… you might end up among them.

It appears he’s also working on some new tunes, as evidenced by a recent Instagram post where he jokingly mentioned, “My pop star from the closet is thawing out. I stored him for five years in deep freeze to utilize his body for swimming!

For more stars who have stepped away from Hollywood, keep reading. 

After 19 seasons on air, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” came to an end in 2022 due to accusations of a harmful work environment. The claims led to an internal investigation, dismissals of top executives, and public disapproval.

Following these events, Ellen made her comeback with her standup special “For Your Approval” on Netflix in September 2024. Prior to its release, she hinted at her decision to exit Hollywood entirely. As reported by SFGate, during her final comedy tour, Ellen’s Last Stand…Up, she stated, “This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.

Ellen and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, are said to have relocated to England following the reported victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 election. However, neither has confirmed the reasons behind this move.

One reason Tyra Banks, the host of America’s Next Top Model, relocated to Australia was to manage her ice cream brand more effectively. As she explained on an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends in April 2025, her company, SMiZE and Dream, had been primarily supplying ice cream to businesses like airlines and cruise ships. However, she found herself frequently traveling to Australia due to a large manufacturing facility there, where they were creating her brand’s ice cream recipes. She grew fond of the country each time she visited and ultimately decided it was an ideal market for her business, given that America, New Zealand, and Australia are among the top three countries with the highest consumption of ice cream. Thus, Tyra Banks moved to Australia with her son York (fathered by her ex Erik Asla) and boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin, expressing that Australia has been a long-held dream come true for her family.

After spending a significant portion of her adult life in Los Angeles, where she once starred on “Desperate Housewives,” Eva Longoria has since relocated to real-life locations outside California. In an interview with Marie Claire in November 2024, Eva expressed that even before the pandemic, Los Angeles was undergoing changes and the atmosphere felt different. The pandemic further accelerated this shift. She mentioned factors like homelessness, taxes, and a sense of closure in her life as reasons for the move. Despite leaving, Eva expressed empathy for those who are unable to escape California, feeling anxious and sad for their circumstances. It’s important to note that Eva did not attribute her decision to leave to President Trump’s re-election. Instead, she explained that her work demands took her to other countries, particularly Spain and Mexico, which has led to her long-term residency there. Since the move, Eva has remained active in her career, with roles in shows like “Only Murders in the Building” and “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.

The actor, who was previously residing in Chicago, has recently relocated to Madrid, Spain. This move is due to his Spanish wife, Alejandra Silva, who he’s been with for about seven years. He shared this on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024. The family, including their sons Alexander and James, as well as Richard’s adult son Homer from a previous relationship, are looking forward to the new experiences this move will bring. Richard mentioned that the children, who are bilingual, will thrive in Spain. In an interview with Elle España in January 2025, he stated that they are experiencing a period of great happiness.

Christina, who is married to singer Matt Pokora, revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show in November 2024 that they have been living in Paris for about three to four years, commuting between the U.S. every six months. However, due to their children’s education, they made the decision to permanently reside in France. Their children, including Violet from her former marriage with The-Dream and sons Isaiah and Kenna from her union with Matt, are now attending school in Paris. Christina expressed her excitement about this opportunity and shared that life in Paris is going well for their family. She stated that her kids are happy there, they have learned French, and she enjoys an active lifestyle during the day while working at night due to the time difference, creating a healthy balance for her.

Lindsay grew tired of false rumors circulating about her departure from Los Angeles. To clear up any misunderstandings, she explained that her busy work schedule and frequent partying during the 2000s were often overshadowed by paparazzi attention when she was younger, which she found annoying.

In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, the alum of The Parent Trap expressed that her work got overshadowed by such distractions and wished it hadn’t happened. She felt that this aspect took on a life of its own, which is why she decided to retreat from the limelight. Her only condition was that media outlets would focus on her work if there was no other story to tell.

Lindsay eventually moved abroad, first to London and later to Dubai, also opening beach clubs in Greece. However, there was another reason behind her decision to escape the public eye.

She pondered, ‘What if I never experience love? What if it never happens for me?’ Then, she simply focused on herself, allowing opportunities to blossom and affirmative responses to arrive – the things she longed to accept.” Notably, Lindsay eventually found love with Bader Shammas, their wedding taking place in 2022, followed by the birth of their son Luai in the subsequent year. Despite residing in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t entirely departed from Hollywood, gracing the screens in films such as “Our Little Secret,” “Irish Wish,” and “Freakier Friday.

After spending some time contemplating his life, actor Josh from Black Mirror decided to leave the bustling world of Hollywood. In an interview with People magazine, he explained that Hollywood was more than just a place; it was a mindset filled with constant chatter about movies. He felt that if he remained in such an environment, his life would become monotonous and limited to one aspect. Instead, he yearned for something more.

Josh wanted to surround himself with people engaged in various activities, away from the confines of the movie business. This diversity would distract him from his work, encourage personal growth, and enrich his life experience. As he put it, “To me, that’s the spice of life.”

Following this introspection, Josh, along with his wife Tamsin Egerton and their four children, relocated to the Hampshire countryside in England. In a later interview with The Guardian, he acknowledged that time seemed to pass quickly with so many responsibilities as a parent. Despite appearing to be busier, he noted that it was the essential things that were truly happening in his life.

Despite his move, Josh has continued to stay active in his career, landing roles in Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you haven’t been keeping up with Jesse’s social media accounts, you might not be aware that he no longer resides in L.A.

In February 2025, the star of ‘A Real Pain’ shared with CBS News Sunday Morning that he had spent the last decade living in Indiana, a place where he feels most at ease. He explained that he finds the entertainment industry unstable and prefers to stay away from it.

Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse leads a relatively ordinary life with his wife Anna Strout and their son Banner.

Jesse also mentioned that he avoids social media and does not frequently communicate with industry contacts. This helps keep his life separate from the world of constant self-evaluation in the entertainment industry. His wife is a teacher, and their son doesn’t watch many movies, so Jesse isn’t immersed in the movie world all the time.

Following stints in productions like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the 2000’s “Bring It On”, Eliza announced in September 2024 that she had earned certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy and was pursuing additional education in mental health care.

She expressed to Boston Magazine that she found the resources to change her path and concentrate on self-healing with the intention of helping others heal too. She feels it’s essential to share the change, the serenity, and the enthusiasm she now possesses. This, without a doubt, is my genuine calling, my true purpose.

In January 2025, the star of The Flintstones, along with her youngest son Clay, relocated to Ireland. She’s currently working towards acquiring Irish citizenship since her grandparents hail from that European nation. Although she mentioned recent political changes as the reason for her departure, she hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of returning home in the future.

In a TikTok video, she expressed her longing, saying, “I miss my other children, I miss my friends. Life at home holds many things I yearn for. I’m making an effort to find a new home here in this charming country. When everyone in America enjoys equal rights safely, that will be the time we think about returning.

The actress who played a role in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has decided to temporarily step away from her acting career, following two decades in the entertainment industry.

In June 2024, Evangeline posted on Instagram expressing her happiness and contentment: “I’m overflowing with joy today while pursuing my vision. I’m incredibly thankful for all my blessings. Sometimes, it can be intimidating to choose a path other than wealth and fame, but following your life’s purpose fills me with satisfaction instead of fear.

However, she doesn’t close the door completely on returning to Hollywood. Instead, she says, “I may find myself back in Hollywood someday, but for now, this is my place.

Since the conclusion of “V-Wars” on Netflix in 2019, an actor from “The Vampire Diaries” has not taken on a new acting role. Instead, he has dedicated himself more deeply to a personal endeavor – his commitment to addressing climate change by enhancing global soil health.

About four years ago, I took a break from acting to focus on my family, start new businesses, and bring these documentaries, ‘Kiss the Ground’ (2020) and its sequel ‘Common Ground’, to life,” Ian explained to TopMob News in November 2023. These films underscore the importance of regenerative farming. Ian shares two kids with his wife Nikki Reed.

Speaking about the future, the actor explained, “In the years ahead, I plan to run a ranch and develop renowned brands, whether it’s my bourbon or my health and wellness company. I’ll focus on regenerative agriculture and maintaining healthy soil, practices that my family and I follow. That’s the path I see for myself. And when people ask, ‘Why do you take an interest?’ Well, that’s why I care – because that’s who I am, and that’s the life I aspire to live.

Back in February 2021, during an episode of her captivating podcast “Empty Inside”, the radiant iCarly alum openly shared with esteemed guest Anna Faris that she made a conscious choice to step away from acting a few years prior. Now, I’m all-in on her creative journey as she pursues writing, directing, and continues to captivate us through her enchanting podcast hosting skills.

In her memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” published in 2022, Jennette confessed about her acting career. She expressed feelings of shame over the roles she had taken previously and resented her career a great deal. She felt underwhelmed by the characters she portrayed and considered them cheesy and embarrassing. From age 13 to 21, she worked on various shows, but by 15 years old, she already felt embarrassed about it. Her peers at 15 didn’t react with admiration like ‘Oh, cool, you’re on this Nickelodeon show.’ Instead, she found their reactions embarrassing.

Though she hasn’t definitively ruled out a return to acting, she expressed during an interview with TopMob News in October 2022 that writing a book has given her newfound insight into possibly revisiting acting without the weighty past experiences that once held her back. She suggested that if she were to write something specifically for herself, it could potentially provide an opportunity for her to tentatively delve back into acting again.

This seemed almost self-evident. If we had the chance to wed Prince Harry, devote our life to charitable endeavors close to our heart and acquire access to the Queen’s magnificent collection of tiaras, saying goodbye to Hollywood might not be such a hard decision.

After emulating Grace Kelly’s journey from Hollywood to Monaco’s Palace, Meghan Markle departed her Toronto residence and her popular role in ‘Suits’, embarking on a new life with The Firm. However, following their relinquishment of senior royal roles and residing in Montecito, Calif., she has been gradually re-entering the business sphere through strategic ventures such as their multi-year production agreement with Netflix.

The Duchess of Sussex has recently unveiled her 2022 docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’ and her 2025 lifestyle series ‘With Love, Meghan’ on the streaming platform. She has also initiated podcasts and her personal brand, As Ever.

Since she first appeared in “The Mask” in 1994, the actress had been involved in more than 40 films. After completing the shooting of “Annie” in 2014, it was high time for her to take a well-deserved break from filming.

In a heartfelt conversation with dear Gwyneth Paltrow, I expressed my personal shift in aspirations, acknowledging the need for change after years of relentless work in the film industry. It’s an exhausting pursuit – making films is like being caught in a never-ending treadmill. When you’re immersed in a movie production, it becomes an all-consuming endeavor, demanding 12 hours a day for months on end, leaving little room for anything else.

As a dedicated follower, there’s so much more I yearn to delve into, such as my writing endeavors. Following the success of my 2013 New York Times best-seller, “The Body Book,” I penned down another book titled “The Longevity Book” in 2016. Additionally, I embarked on a beautiful journey with my husband, Benji Madden, by starting a family. However, although I told InStyle in 2019 that I don’t miss performing and am focused on wellness, it seems there might be a possibility of an encore performance, at least once.

In a conversation with TopMob News, Jamie Foxx explained that he had humbly requested and shown great admiration to Cameron for the 2025 Netflix film “Back in Action,” saying something like, “Please give us one more opportunity,” on bended knee. He expressed his affection for her, emphasizing that they’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment, and it’s going to be simply extraordinary.

Terrence made it clear that he wouldn’t perform an encore following his five-year stint on Empire when Extra asked about his future before the musical drama series’ sixth and final season in 2019. His response was, “I’ve had enough of acting. I’m done with pretending.

As a lifestyle expert, I would rephrase it this way: After resuming work for several projects, the Oscar-nominated star shared his intention to retire from acting during promotions for his Peacock series, “The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” in 2022. In an interview with ET, he stated, “I’ve reached a stage where I believe I have given my all as an actor. Now, I find joy in witnessing the emergence of fresh talent and don’t want to imitate myself.”

In spite of those remarks, it’s worth noting that Howard has made appearances in additional shows and films since then. These include the TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the Netflix film “Shirley,” with a number of upcoming projects on his schedule.

After King Joffrey’s unexpected, purple-tinged demise in 2014, the 21-year-old at the time shared with EW that he was stepping away from acting. “I’ve been acting since I was 8 years old,” the Game of Thrones actor elaborated on his choice, admitting, “I just didn’t find it as enjoyable as I once did.

As a child actor, the initial charm had faded, and now that there was an opportunity to make a career out of it, Jack explained, “It used to be something I did for fun with my friends or during the summer for enjoyment. But now, it’s potentially a profession. That shift in context has altered my perspective towards it.” He admitted he still enjoyed it, but his desire was not to make it a full-time career: “When something becomes your job, it alters the dynamics. It’s not that I dislike it, it’s just not what I aspire for.

After a hiatus of six years, I was eager to step back into the spotlight. In 2020, I was fortunate enough to be a part of BBC’s series “Out of Her Mind”. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of appearing in films such as “Rebecca’s Boyfriend” and “In the Land of Saints and Sinners”, as well as television shows like “Safe Harbor” and “The Famous Five”.

In September 2020, when Jennifer Aniston played her role in the virtual table read for “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, she married actor Kevin Kline in 1989. They decided to take turns working so that they would never be working simultaneously, as a way to balance caring for their son Owen and daughter Greta (now known by her stage name Frankie Cosmos).

In other words, whenever it’s been Phoebe’s turn to work, she has opted to stay with the kids. Despite appearing briefly in Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on managing her New York City boutique Blue Tree.

In the peak of his popularity with movies like “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”, the ’80s actor took a break from movie-making not much after his wife succumbed to breast cancer in 1991, choosing instead to dedicate himself to bringing up his children Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not taking on a live-action movie role since 1997, even turning down a cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 Ghostbusters remake, Rick has continued to be a beloved cultural figure. This was shown by the uproar over news that he was assaulted while walking in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans have something to look forward to: He will reunite with Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot Shrunk.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the prominent star from “Never Been Kissed” seemed to indicate a potential shift away from movies. In an interview with Vogue, she expressed her reservations about acting roles that often involve intimate scenes with others. She stated, “Ninety percent of acting roles require a lot of sexual content with other people, and I’m not interested in doing that. It’s such a peculiar flame to play with, and our relationship is robust enough to withstand it, but if you’re going to walk through fire, there needs to be something extraordinary on the other side.

Her resolve became firm when her son Martin joined her elder daughter Louisanna in the year 2014. In a conversation with Us Weekly at an event in 2016, she expressed, “I no longer involve myself in movie matters; I’m strictly an outsider now! I am simply a mother and an observer.” She elaborated that she assists Kimmel in his business endeavors and pursues painting as a hobby. “I am solely dedicated to my children,” she added, “and I believe that’s the main reason I chose to stop.

She had previously watched shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. When the Australian woman began to consider that perhaps she was prepared for change, she decided it was time to move on.

Reflecting on my age nearing 45, I found myself pondering: What’s one unique endeavor could I embark on that would test my limits and offer a fresh perspective? This thought crossed my mind while gracing the stage of Ellen DeGeneres’ renowned talk show in 2018. With a sense of what acting might hold for me over the next decade or two, I made the bold decision to hang up my acting hat and venture into entrepreneurship instead.

Her consumer-focused art company, General Public, was still a work in development, with only one final artwork left to complete.

I reached out to Mitch Hurwitz, the brain behind ‘Arrested Development’, expressing that if there’s another season, I wouldn’t participate because I’ve chosen to stop acting. He appeared very empathetic and completely grasped my situation. Our chat was wonderful, and he even included me in five episodes by writing for me.

In simpler terms, after winning three Academy Awards and receiving his sixth nomination for his last movie in 2017 (“Phantom Thread”), the actor announced that he would no longer act. He expressed his deep appreciation to everyone he worked with and his fans over the years. This decision is personal, and he won’t provide any additional comments about it.

However, when Daniel believed he had moved on, his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, drew him back into the fold. In October 2024, production company Focus Features disclosed that the Oscar winner would star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son, who will also direct.

In 2018, the actress who starred on “Good Luck Charlie” decided to focus more on her education and started working towards a master’s degree at MIT. She eventually completed her PhD there as well. Additionally, she joined Harvard Law School for further studies.

Moreover, not only did Bridgit establish her venture, Northwood Space, but she also assumed the role of CEO for this company in February 2023. The mission of Northwood Space is to construct ground satellite stations to facilitate data transmission from space.

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2025-07-28 23:51