Ryan Reynolds on Being a Canadian in Hollywood: “I’m Not MAGA. I’m Not Extreme Anything”

September 6, 2025: At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), during the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me—a heartfelt documentary he produced about the celebrated Canadian comedian—Ryan Reynolds offered a candid glimpse into his identity, cultural grounding, and philosophy amid the ever-intensifying cultural discourse.

Staying Centered Amid Culture Wars

Reynolds emphasized his pride in his Canadian upbringing, noting that it has significantly shaped how he navigates the polarizing dynamics of Hollywood and global politics. “I’m not MAGA. I’m not extreme about anything,” he asserted during an informal conversation at TIFF, pushing back against the “us vs. them” mentality he believes identity politics often fuels.

He went further, sharing a striking anecdote:

“Sitting on set in America and working with somebody who’s MAGA — I’m not MAGA; I’m not extreme anything… and I say, ‘Hey, let’s swap phones for a second. Let’s see your algorithm. Check out mine.’”
His collaborator responded upon viewing Reynolds’s feed: “It’s fine.”

Through this gesture, Reynolds advocated for curiosity and empathy, even amid ideological differences. He underscored the importance of bringing collaborative energy into conversations rather than combativeness.

Canada: The “Third Parent” That Grounded Him

Reynolds credited Canada as being like a “third parent,” shaping his temperament in a tough industry. “It’s important to keep your head screwed on right. And Canada helped me with that. Canada was a third parent. That business is tough. It can destroy you. I have seen the illusion of it and sort of the thin ice,” he reflected.

This perspective offers a revealing look at how Reynolds balances fame, integrity, and cultural identity with humility and self-awareness.

What This Means in the Current Moment

Reynolds’s statements offer a refreshing take during a time when public figures often feel pressured to take sides. Instead, he models a stance that values understanding over division:

Rejects political labeling: By distancing himself from extremes, he avoids ideological entrapment and the transactional nature of polarized identities.

Prioritizes empathy: His phone-algorithm swap story signals a simple yet profound outreach to understand differing worldviews.

Champions cultural influence: Canada, to him, wasn’t just home—it was a moral compass that continues to guide his choices.

In an era where celebrity voices are frequently weaponized in culture wars, Ryan Reynolds’s steady and thoughtful approach stands out as a reminder that sincerity and introspection can still resonate powerfully.