AceShowbiz - Welsh actor Luke Evans, now 45, has carved out a niche in Hollywood playing physical roles that demand a muscular and toned body. Known for roles in films like "Beauty and the Beast", "Fast & Furious", and "The Hobbit" trilogy, Evans has built an on-screen image of strength and confidence. However, the actor recently revealed that behind his enviable physique lie deep-seated anxieties.

In an episode of the podcast "How to Fail with Elizabeth Day", Evans spoke candidly about the constant pressure to stay fit and the toll it takes on his mental well-being. "I still sometimes go to the gym and just feel very anxious," he admitted. "I look at myself in the mirror and just go, 'You don't look good enough,' or 'You're letting it go.' "

The star expressed how difficult it is to reconcile his current appearance with images from his past. "The terrible part of my industry is that you're just reminded constantly of the decades of film you've done when you had not a crease on the face and not one gray stubble, whereas all my stubble is now gray," he shared.

This relentless comparison has been a source of insecurity for him, prompting him to be kinder to himself even as he battles with anxiety over his physical appearance.

Despite the internal struggle, Evans acknowledges that this anxiety serves as a double-edged sword. "Part of that isn't completely bad [because] it gives you a little something to fight for, but it can be overwhelming," he noted.

The pressure peaks when he has to show off his physique on screen and in public settings. "I've been on a beach just recently, and I didn't want to take my T-shirt off. I don't want to be in that place," he said, emphasizing the complexity of his emotions.

Living a life that necessitates a stringent fitness regime isn't always glamorous. Evans confessed that maintaining a ripped body year-round is arduous and often results in sacrifices, especially when it comes to enjoying food and socializing. "When I'm training hard the diet is miserable ... Booze is a nightmare for empty calories and you can't train the day after," he revealed in a 2014 interview with Men's Health UK.

Nonetheless, this commitment to fitness is part of being an actor in modern Hollywood. "I get cast in certain roles that require a certain amount of physical strength and aesthetic. It's been good because it's probably kept me on the straight and narrow," he admitted. However, he also longs for the ease with which some men carry themselves confidently without apparent effort.

Despite the struggles and the sacrifices, Evans continues to portray characters that embody physical prowess, an ironic testament to his delicate sensitivity. "As hard as I may look, I am quite delicate," he admitted, summarizing the dichotomy of his life as a Hollywood action star with personal vulnerabilities.