From Sarah Jessica Parker to Victoria Justice, Hollywood celebs have been opting out of having smartphones as the digital minimalism movement continues to trend
With 90s and Y2K nostalgia dominating the pop culture moment, there has been a rise in analog technology, from digital cameras to DVDs, and now cell phones.
With digital minimalism replacing endless scrolling, algorithms, and social media, more and more celebs have opted out of having smartphones. The trend appears to be in full swing, with more and more A-listers speaking out about ditching their iPhones, including pop stars, Hollywood directors, and big-name actors.
The “dumb phone” movement comes as eagle-eyed fans slammed Kim Kardashian after her iPhone wallpaper may have revealed the reality star’s ‘favorite child’ at the Met Gala.
The number of celebs who have ditched their smartphones continues to grow, with big names like Justin Bieber and Elton John, who use only iPads to communicate; Dolly Parton, who still uses a fax machine; and Kim Kardashian, who collects BlackBerry devices. Rihanna is known to switch to a flip phone during digital detoxes.
Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice was recently spotted at Coachella carrying a limited-edition SVEDKA Vodka flip phone. Here is a list of famous people who have opted out of using smartphones.
Shailene Woodley
The Big Little Lies star ditched her phone back in 2014, explaining, “there’s a bigger lack of privacy than there’s ever been, but there’s also a bigger lack of camaraderie and community than there’s ever been.”
Five years later, the 34-year-old actress told Jimmy Kimmel that while she uses a flip phone for her day-to-day, she still has an iPhone because it’s “easier to text on,” but it only works on WiFi. “I’m talking to people more than I’ve ever talked to in my life because I no longer have that crutch. The more you get away from all the technological buzz, the more freedom you have.”
Michael Cera
Michael Cera is famously not a smartphone user. The 37-year-old actor said he had an “early aversion” to smartphones.
Speaking with The Guardian in 2019, the Barbie star said, “I feel sorry for my son, I feel sorry for the world. I think it’s getting very lonely. That’s the triumph of the Apple corporation. It has done a good job of making people feel they can’t exist without its product.”
Ed Sheeran
The British singer-songwriter has not had a smartphone since 2017, after making a New Year’s Resolution to stay off social media. Nine years later, the 35-year-old continues to communicate solely through email.
He told The Collector’s Edition, “I got really, really overwhelmed and sad with a phone. I just spent my whole time just in a very low place. I got rid of it, and it was like a veil just lifted.” After finding one of his previously used devices, Ed created an Instagram account called Teddy’s Old Phone, which inspired the song ‘Old Phone.’
Sarah Jessica Parker
The Sex and the City star has resisted the switch to iPhones since day one, opting instead to use a BlackBerry and communicate primarily through emails.
The 61-year-old actress told E! in 2013, “I chose emails because when you’re on a set you can carefully and sneakily check a BlackBerry, but you can’t return a phone call. Hearing ‘Your voicemail is full’ is horrifying to me.”
Kate Beckinsale
Kate has spoken out about her preference for analog technology, and that she is “not much interested in an iPhone,” having been spotted in 2016 with a red Verizon LG flip phone.
The British actress, 52, told Slash Gear, “That’s about the extent of it. I don’t like my iPod. I like a nice record player and a book. I’m very much about that,” and has previously explained that she finds the instant connectivity of smartphones “unsettling.”
Dierks Bentley
The Grammy-nominated country star revealed that he went “low-tech” years ago and has not looked back since.
The 50-year-old singer previously told PEOPLE, “Everybody else was running out for the new iPhone 6, but I got a flip phone. It has a camera because of the kids, but it’s pretty basic. This one was like 99 cents. I’m trying to call more and text less. I don’t want to check my phone 5,000 times a day anymore. It was getting to me. I’m bringing old back.”
Chris Pine
The 45-year-old actor cited his addiction to his phone as the main reason he downgraded his daily tech in 2017, though after using a flip phone for a few years, he recently revealed he got an iPhone.
During an episode of Marc Maron’s podcast, the Wonder Woman star explained, “I had a flip phone for three or four years, and I just got an iPhone because I felt pummeled by how difficult being analog was. It was very difficult. But, having just got this crack machine, it’s really bad. These things are really, really, really bad.
He continued, “I may immediately go back to a flip phone. I don’t know if my soul can handle it.”
