Olivia Wilde reveals how Harry Styles breakup overshadowed her film

Olivia Wilde has reflected on the intense public scrutiny surrounding her split from Harry Styles, admitting the backlash not only affected her personally but also overshadowed the release of Don't Worry Darling.

Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, the actress and filmmaker said the widespread attention surrounding her relationship with the singer prevented meaningful conversations about the 2022 psychological thriller and the work that went into making it.

"I think it did hurt the film for sure because we didn't get to have the conversations about what the film was trying to say," Wilde said, adding that the project was made during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with a $30 million budget and the efforts of a dedicated cast and crew deserved more recognition.

The director admitted the online reaction also took a personal toll, saying she had been unprepared for the intensity of internet scrutiny.

"It hurt me for sure, because I was so naive up until that point about the grinder, the garbage disposal that the internet can be," she said, describing the experience as "witnessing a tornado from the inside."

Wilde is now promoting her latest film, The Invite, and said returning to the press circuit has been a healing experience.

She explained that this time she has been able to focus on discussions about the film itself rather than personal headlines.

Don't Worry Darling was also surrounded by rumours of a feud between Wilde and lead actress Florence Pugh, claims the director has repeatedly denied.

She previously argued that making a film should not mean having one's personal life "torn to shreds," echoing Pugh's view that the cast "didn't sign up for a reality show."