- Dafne Keen revealed she was offered cocaine at Hollywood wrap parties when she was as young as 11, 12, and 13 years old.
- Witnessing substance abuse early in her career led the 21-year-old actor to maintain a strictly sober lifestyle and actively avoid drugs and alcohol.
- Keen credited co-star Hugh Jackman for acting as a protective parental figure who monitored her working hours and sheltered her on the set of Logan.
Dafne Keen Reflects on Navigating Early Hollywood Fame
Actor Dafne Keen has candidly shared her experiences navigating the darker corners of the entertainment industry after rising to prominence at a very young age. Keen, now 21, was thrust into international stardom after being cast opposite Hugh Jackman in the critically acclaimed 2017 superhero film Logan. Speaking during an appearance on the Inside of You podcast hosted by Michael Rosenbaum, Keen explained how exposure to adult environments early in life decisively influenced her personal stance on substance abuse.
During the conversation, Keen attributed her complete lack of interest in alcohol and illicit substances to the behaviors she observed firsthand at industry gatherings when she was just entering her teens. I donāt think Iāve ever been drunk enough to even have a hangover. Iām such a control freak with that,
she told podcast host Michael Rosenbaum. Because also I think as a child actor I witnessed so much of that as a child that I just had no interestā¦ I was getting offered coke at wrap parties. “Like, tiny. Like 11, 12, 13. So I saw what that was, so I was like, āI donāt really have any interest in thatāā¦ I was saying no, fortunately.
Maintaining a Sober Lifestyle Amid Peer Pressure
Keen rose to international acclaim portraying Laura, also known as X-23, in Logan. The gritty, R-rated film presented a desolate future where an aging and ailing Wolverine cares for an increasingly vulnerable Charles Xavier, portrayed by Patrick Stewart, whose deteriorating psychic abilities threaten everyone around him. Wolverine eventually discovers Laura, a young mutant bio-engineered from his own genetic material, and embarks on a high-stakes mission to protect her from mutant hunters and escort her group safely to the border.
Reflecting on how early exposure to Hollywood culture shaped her social habits, Keen explained that she continues to embrace a sober lifestyle while still enjoying active nightlife. I donāt really need it,” she said. “Iāll go out and stay out ātil 6, but sober. Just for the vibes, just ācause I like music and I like dancing and I like people.
She added: I did used to lie as a teenager so I wouldnāt get peer pressured. Iād be like, āNah, Iām good. I donāt wanna drink. I already took something.ā Dead sober. Like, the goodest goody-two-shoes ever.
Hugh Jackman’s Protective Role Behind the Scenes
While industry events presented clear hazards, Keen highlighted the positive, supportive atmosphere fostered on set by her veteran co-star. She noted that Hugh Jackman actively ensured she was protected throughout the production of Logan, serving as both a professional mentor and an advocate. Keen shared that [Hugh Jackman] gave me a lot of really positive reinforcement and a lot of really good advice. And he was always so lovely.
Expanding on Jackmanās commitment to her welfare during filming, Keen praised his hands-on approach to creating a safe working environment: Heās the best number one you could ever wish for. And heās the best on-screen dad. He genuinely felt like a sort of parental figure. “He made sure that no one was abusing my hours, that I was having fun on set, that I wasnāt aware of any tensions that wouldāve been happening behind the scenes. He was so incredibly protective and amazing.
Why This Matters
Dafne Keen’s disclosures shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by child actors in Hollywood, particularly when adult-oriented industry events like wrap parties fail to safeguard minors from illicit substances. Her account underscores the vital role established senior talent plays on set; by taking proactive measures to monitor Keen’s working hours and screen her from studio friction, Hugh Jackman set a benchmark for protective co-star leadership.
Following her breakthrough in Logan, Keen transitioned successfully into leading roles as an adult performer. She went on to star as Lyra Belacqua in the television adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, subsequently expanding her portfolio with appearances in Star Wars: The Acolyte and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, before ultimately reprising her role as Laura alongside Jackman in 2024’s Deadpool and Wolverine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Dafne Keen experience at wrap parties as a child actor?
Keen revealed on the Inside of You podcast that she was repeatedly offered cocaine at industry wrap parties when she was only 11, 12, and 13 years old, which led her to actively turn away from drugs and alcohol.
How did Hugh Jackman support Dafne Keen on the set of Logan?
Keen shared that Hugh Jackman acted like an on-screen parental figure, providing guidance, ensuring crew members did not exploit her working hours, keeping her sheltered from behind-the-scenes drama, and ensuring she had an enjoyable experience on set.
What major projects has Dafne Keen worked on since Logan?
Following her 2017 breakout, Keen starred as Lyra Belacqua in His Dark Materials, appeared in Star Wars: The Acolyte and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and reprised her character Laura in 2024’s Deadpool and Wolverine.
