Four years after the whirlwind release of Don’t Worry Darling, Olivia Wilde is finally opening up about the unprecedented chaos that surrounded the film’s press tour. Now promoting her new movie, The Invite, the director is reflecting on the "tornado" of headlines and the personal toll it took on her .

The 2022 psychological thriller, starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine, became as famous for its off-screen drama as for its on-screen narrative. From rumors of a feud with Pugh to the viral “Spitgate” incident and a contentious custody battle, the film's promotional campaign was a relentless media spectacle.

A Perfect Storm of Pandemic and Press

Wilde recently sat down for a candid interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, marking one of the first times she has addressed the controversy in detail. She attributed part of the frenzy to the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified the public's appetite for distraction.

“It was so strange,” Wilde told host Alex Cooper. “The world was also in such a weird place because it was COVID so everything was so topsy-turvy weird” . She noted that the intense scrutiny felt like an escape for a country grappling with its own struggles. "It must have been that America was trying to avoid its own pain," she said, "because that must have been an escape" .

Despite the external chaos, Wilde insists her private life during that period was a stark contrast to the public narrative. She described her relationship with Styles as “wholesome and sweet,” a bubble of happiness that remained untouched by the storm outside .

“There was all this public madness, but my private life was very far from it,” she explained. “It was like the tornado was right outside the door and if you were inside, you were like, ‘It’s so nice,’ and then you’d open the door and a fucking like a cow and a tractor would fly by” .

The Backlash and the ‘Parasocial’ Relationship

Wilde also addressed the fierce backlash she faced regarding her relationship with Styles, which was partly fueled by their 10-year age gap. She recalled being called derogatory names simply for attending his concerts and supporting him .

“People were fucking pissed,” she said. “It’s almost like the happiness made them mad” . She attributed much of the hostility to the intense, “parasocial” relationship fans had with Styles, a dynamic she said he handles with immense grace . "I think that is an enormous responsibility that all those stars have to carry that's fucking impossible," she added .

The CinemaCon Incident and Finding Support

One of the most shocking moments of the Don’t Worry Darling saga occurred at CinemaCon in Las Vegas in April 2022. While presenting the film to industry insiders, Wilde was handed a manila envelope on stage containing custody papers from her ex-partner, Jason Sudeikis .

Wilde described the experience as “incredibly traumatizing,” recalling that she had to "muscle through" the speech and finish her presentation before dissolving backstage . She noted that the room was filled with the "highest stress" individuals—studio executives and exhibitors she was trying to impress .

While she initially suspected Sudeikis of orchestrating the public humiliation, Wilde now says she believes he did not know the papers would be served at that moment. "Jason has told me that he did not know, and I need to believe that in order to continue," she said, adding that she believes lawyers may have been responsible for the timing . The couple settled their custody dispute in 2023 and maintain a strong co-parenting relationship for their two children, Otis and Daisy .

The event even caught the attention of Hollywood icon Tom Cruise. Wilde recalled meeting him a few months later, where he offered his condolences. “He was like, ‘Hi, I’m Tom. Fucked up what happened to you in Vegas,’” she remembered, laughing at the memory .

The Venice Film Festival and Moving Forward

Wilde also addressed the infamous “Spitgate” at the Venice Film Festival, where a viral video appeared to show Styles spitting on Chris Pine. Representatives for both actors immediately denied the claim . When asked about it, Wilde could only laugh, admitting, “It really looked like it” .

In the years since, Wilde has stepped back from the spotlight, undertaken intensive therapy, and focused on rebuilding. Now, with The Invite set to release, she is ready to have people talking about her work rather than her personal life .

She credits Pamela Anderson with providing crucial advice during that turbulent time: “The most rebellious thing you can do is stay soft. Don’t let it harden you” .

Reflecting on the past, Wilde admits she resents being told to remain silent and "just smile" while the media painted a "complete fiction" of her life . But she now sees the experience as a humbling lesson and a chance for profound personal growth . “I'm a very different person than I was three years ago, a much better version of myself,” she concluded .