Kristen Stewart Says She’s Probably Not Staying in the U.S. and Explains Why Hollywood No Longer Feels Free
Kristen Stewart is opening up about her future, and it may not include permanent life in the United States. The actor and first-time director shared candid thoughts about politics, filmmaking, and why working abroad now feels more possible than staying home.
Kristen Stewart has never been one to follow expectations, and her latest comments make that clear once again. While promoting her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, Stewart revealed she is reconsidering her long-term future in the United States. The actor, who currently splits her time between New York and Los Angeles, says the political climate and changes in the film industry have made it difficult for her to work freely.
Her comments come amid renewed discussions around proposed tariffs on films shot outside the U.S., an issue that directly affected her latest project. Speaking with the U.K.’s The Times, Stewart explained why she chose to film in Latvia and why she may not continue living stateside.
Keep reading to discover why Kristen Stewart says she is probably not staying in the U.S. and how politics, filmmaking, and creative freedom are shaping her next move.
Why Kristen Stewart Filmed Her New Movie Outside the U.S.
Stewart directed The Chronology of Water abroad because she felt it simply could not be made in America under current conditions. The film, based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, required creative freedom that Stewart says felt unavailable at home.
“Reality is breaking completely under [President Donald] Trump,” Stewart said, referencing his plans to impose tariffs on films shot outside the United States.
She explained that even though those tariffs have not yet been enforced, the possibility alone is unsettling.
“It’s terrifying,” she added.
According to Stewart, filming in Latvia allowed her to focus on the story rather than political pressure or financial penalties. For an artist who has spent most of her life in Hollywood, the experience was eye-opening.
Still, she made it clear that her decision was not about abandoning American audiences. Instead, it was about protecting the integrity of the work.
“But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in,” Stewart said.
Trump’s Film Tariff Plan and Hollywood’s Concerns
President Donald Trump first announced plans for tariffs on movies made outside the U.S. in May 2025. At the time, he claimed the American film industry was struggling and blamed foreign incentives for pulling productions away from Hollywood.
“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He also referred to foreign-made films as a “National Security threat” and framed them as a form of messaging and propaganda.
While those efforts were later stalled, Trump has continued to express interest in reviving them. In January 2026, he reiterated his stance, saying tariffs and bonds could help bring filmmaking back to Los Angeles.
For filmmakers like Stewart, these proposals create uncertainty. Independent projects often rely on international locations and funding, and restrictions could limit storytelling options.
Kristen Stewart Says She Probably Will Not Stay in the U.S.
When asked directly if she plans to continue living in the United States, Stewart did not hesitate.
“Probably not,” she said.
She explained that her concerns go beyond politics and extend to her ability to work creatively.“I can’t work freely there. But I don’t want to give up completely,” Stewart shared.
Instead, she envisions a future that allows her to live and work abroad while still engaging with American audiences.
“I’d like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people,” she added, with her signature blunt humor.
Stewart currently maintains homes in both New York and Los Angeles, but her comments suggest that balance may shift more permanently toward Europe.
A Lifelong Relationship With Film and Storytelling
Stewart has been part of the film industry since childhood, rising to global fame before she was even an adult. Despite her success, she says filmmaking is still deeply personal.
“It’s how I relate to the world,” Stewart explained. “I’m always going, ‘How are we going to make that into a movie?’”
That perspective has shaped her transition from actor to director. With The Chronology of Water now in theaters, Stewart is stepping into a new phase of her career, one where creative control matters more than ever.
Her desire to work in environments that support artistic freedom reflects a broader shift among filmmakers seeking alternatives to traditional Hollywood systems.
Kristen Stewart Joins Other Celebrities Leaving the U.S.
Stewart is not alone in rethinking life in America. Several high-profile celebrities have publicly cited Trump’s presidency as a reason for relocating abroad.
Rosie O’Donnell moved to Ireland in early 2025 and later spoke about how political changes affected her personally.
“It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me personally as well,” O’Donnell said in a TikTok video. “The personal is political, as we all know.”
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, also confirmed their move to the United Kingdom in 2025. DeGeneres recalled arriving just before the election results.
“We got [to the U.K.] the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis,” she said. “And I was like, ‘He got in.’ … And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here.’”
What Comes Next for Kristen Stewart
For now, Stewart is focused on promoting The Chronology of Water and continuing her work as a director. While she has not announced a permanent move, her comments suggest a growing disconnect with the current U.S. film landscape.
Whether she ultimately settles in Europe or continues to split her time internationally, one thing is clear. Kristen Stewart plans to keep making bold, challenging films on her own terms, no matter where she calls home.
Summary:
- Kristen Stewart says she is probably not going to keep living in the United States due to political and creative limitations
- She shared her thoughts while promoting her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water
- Stewart explained that filming the movie in Latvia was necessary because it could not have been made freely in the U.S.
- She expressed concern over President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on films made outside America
- Stewart said the possibility of tariffs feels terrifying, even though they have not been enforced
- She believes the current political climate makes it hard for filmmakers to work without restrictions
- While she may live abroad, Stewart does not want to completely leave American audiences behind
- She hopes to make movies in Europe and still release them in the United States
- Stewart currently splits her time between homes in Los Angeles and New York
- Other celebrities, including Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres, have also left the U.S, citing Trump as their reason
