Drea De Matteo Gets Candid About Hollywood'S Hamster Wheel And Her New Beginnings

Breaking Free from the Hollywood Hustle

Drea de Matteo, the talented star best known for her role on "The Sopranos," never really planned to have a long-term career in acting. In a candid chat with Fox News Digital, she revealed, "It never interested me." After her iconic performance in "The Sopranos," Drea felt no urge to stay on Hollywood's fast-paced treadmill. "I did it to pay bills when I needed to," she confessed. "But to just continue being in that hamster wheel of Hollywood, I just didn't have an interest in it."

A New Chapter with 'The Ultrafree Podcast'

Now, Drea is embarking on a new venture – her very own podcast called "The Ultrafree Podcast." She shares that this project was born out of necessity as much as passion. "I always knew that when I needed to pay the bills, it would happen," she confidently stated. However, the pandemic brought unexpected challenges that pushed her in a different direction.

"The breaking point was when I had to join OnlyFans to save my home," the 54-year-old explained, highlighting the financial strain during COVID-19.

During these trying times, both she and her boyfriend faced significant upheaval. Her boyfriend left his band, and Drea found herself stepping into the world of OnlyFans to make ends meet as her house faced foreclosure.

Venturing into OnlyFans and Podcasting

Initially, Drea intended to start a podcast on OnlyFans, using the platform's paywall to discuss politics openly. "The OnlyFans was supposed to be a podcast on OnlyFans, behind a paywall so that nobody would censor us," she explained. Fortunately, that idea evolved, and "ULTRAFREE" took shape, focusing on ideas she describes as "team humanity," rather than political.

The podcast is set to launch on Monday and promises to explore topical issues without celebrity guests, as Drea believes, "There's so many people out there talking about the same stuff. I think we have to keep asking questions."

Navigating Industry Challenges

Drea's outspoken views on the COVID vaccine led to some professional setbacks, including losing her agent and facing reluctance from her manager. Despite these challenges, she remains unbothered by public perception. "I don't care what anybody thinks. You know, I care about my kids and that's it," she expressed.

Her journey through the pandemic and subsequent career pivots highlight her resilience and determination to live life on her own terms, no matter what Hollywood or public opinion might dictate.