Harris Dickinson says being sexualised by fans is 'weird' after Babygirl

Harris Dickinson says he has been shaken by the way fans sexualise him since starring in Babygirl, a topic he discussed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast on Thursday. The 29-year-old actor is preparing to play John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopic series and previously starred opposite Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, a provocative drama about obsession and desire.

In Babygirl, Dickinson plays an intern who becomes entangled with Kidman’s older, married character. The movie was lauded for its raw energy, but Dickinson says the personal attention it drew was hard to handle. He noted that there is a broader issue with how some fans speak to young male actors, saying that sexualisation of men has become more tolerated in recent years. He described moments during press events and Q&As where comments crossed lines and stressed that those moments cannot be laughed off.

He recalled a travel incident on a plane to the United States in which a passenger asked him to dance and referenced sexual experiences connected to the film, something he called not OK and not something he wants to hear about.

Dickinson argued that public perception around Babygirl is not entirely within his control and that the narrative around the film can overshadow its artistic intent. He said he understands people may interpret the film differently, but he has often found himself pushing back against certain readings of his appearance and role.

The actor has previously spoken about his discomfort with being seen as a heartthrob. He has discussed insecurities from childhood, including growing up as a “really chubby boy,” and how those feelings persisted into adulthood until his late teens. He said he is happy to lean into desirability when it serves the project, but not as a general condition of his career.

Looking ahead, Dickinson is set to portray John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ Beatles series, a high-profile role, and he is in a long-term relationship with musician Rose Gray.

The broader entertainment industry continues to watch how actors navigate attention from fans as they take on high-visibility projects, with Dickinson already balancing press scrutiny with an upcoming portrayal that marks a notable shift in his career trajectory.