Robbie Williams, the British pop icon who rose to fame with Take That in the 1990s, has captivated European audiences for decades. Despite his success overseas, Williams remains an enigma in the U.S. With filmmaker Michael Gracey’s inventive biopic Better Man — where a CGI monkey portrays the singer — Williams is finally looking to make his mark in America.
A Career of Reinvention
After breaking away from Take That, Williams built a solo career that saw him selling out stadiums and dominating charts. But his journey wasn’t without struggle. Reflecting on his school years, Williams revealed challenges with neurodivergence and self-esteem. "I just thought I was dumb," he admitted, explaining how those experiences fueled his ambition.
Better Man: A Biopic Like No Other
Now playing in theaters, Better Man captures Williams’ life, from his meteoric rise to fame to his battles with mental health. Jonno Davies brings the singer to life through CGI, a bold artistic choice that reflects Williams’ humor and self-awareness.
Williams originally planned to star as himself but stepped back during COVID-19 to prioritize his family. "I didn’t want to be away for three months," he shared, praising Davies for an "incredible" performance.
Finding Freedom
Williams spoke candidly about fame and inner peace. "Freedom for me only exists in my mind... It’s all about the space between my ears," he said. Fatherhood, however, proved transformative. "When my first child, Teddy, arrived, it stopped being about me and started being about them."
Embracing His Legacy
As Better Man garners praise, Williams feels pride in its impact. "The overwhelming amount of texts and emails I’m receiving... I believe it’s a very special piece of work," he said.
So, who is Robbie Williams? "Somebody on a trajectory of happiness," he concluded, "causing less chaos in a place where only chaos existed."
Better Man is now in theaters, offering a poignant and unique look at one of pop music’s most intriguing figures.
