Florence Pugh Breaks Silence On Age Gap With Ex Zach Braff, Reveals “Insane Amount” Of Hatred

Florence Pugh has opened up about her past relationship with Zach Braff and the public scrutiny surrounding their 21-year age gap.

Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, the British actress recalled feeling “hurt” by the wave of negative comments she faced during her relationship with the Scrubs star.

Florence and the 50-year-old actor dated for three years between 2019 and 2022. Throughout their relationship, she publicly defended him several times against criticism of their age difference.

Florence Pugh reflected on the 21-year age difference between her and her ex, Zach Braff

Florence Pugh wearing a white strapless dress and diamond necklace, addressing age gap with ex Zach Braff and public backlash.

Image credits: florencepugh

“It was an insane amount of ab*se being hurled at my relationship just because there was an age gap,” she told Louis Theroux.

“I stood up for it, and I stood up for him and I stood up for me just being allowed to do whatever the f*** I wanted to do, and that kind of did actually change a few people’s minds.”

Florence added that defending the people she cares about is part of who she is, even if it means going against what’s considered the norm.

Florence Pugh and Zach Braff smiling together in a casual setting discussing their age gap and public reactions.

Image credits: officiallouistheroux

“I’ll always make sure that if there needs to be a reset and there needs to be a bit of a smack on the wrist, I will do that because it’s not fair that so much of your life gets to have jabs,” she said.

In 2020, Florence turned off the Instagram comments on a post celebrating Zach’s 45th birthday after receiving what she described as “toxic” remarks about their age gap, which left her feeling “sad” and “upset.”

Florence said she was “hurt” by the intense public criticism of their age difference

Florence Pugh speaking in a podcast studio about age gap with ex Zach Braff and the backlash she faced.

Image credits: Louis Theroux

She later addressed her critics in a video, telling them, “I do not need you to tell me who I should and should not love.”

In December 2019, Zach left a crown emoji beneath one of Florence’s Instagram posts, prompting one person to comment, “You’re 44 years old.”

Florence defended her partner, replying simply, “And yet he got it👌🏽”

Florence Pugh outdoors in a black shirt, looking thoughtful while reflecting on age gap and public reaction.

Image credits: A24

Comment discussing societal pressure on happiness and mental health, relating to Florence Pugh age gap with ex Zach Braff.

The Oscar nominee, who made her acting debut in The Falling over a decade ago, has learned that being in the spotlight means people will criticize her relationship if they don’t align with their expectations of who she should be dating.

“It doesn’t matter how much you speak on it or how little you speak on it, people don’t care,” Florence told Louis.

“They want a story; they want a reality show. It doesn’t really matter how much you say you love someone or how much they make you happy.

“If they don’t like them and it doesn’t fit that image that they want of you, they don’t care. And I think that hurt me.”

The Oppenheimer actress recently appeared on The Louis Theroux Podcast

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Louis Theroux (@officiallouistheroux)

Screenshot of Safeguard Recovery Team comment emphasizing mental health support and stigma removal in crisis situations.

At another point in the podcast, the 29-year-old got candid about one of the most difficult periods in her life, when her body would “scream” at her that she needed to make a change.

Florence reflected on a past relationship that made her realize how harshly she had been treating herself. 

Florence Pugh speaking in a podcast studio, discussing age gap and experiences with ex Zach Braff.

Image credits: Louis Theroux

“I had a breakdown,” she told Louis. “When you are not sleeping or you’re drinking too much or you’ve got the sh**s because you’re so anxious – that’s your body screaming at you.”

The Midsommar star shared that, during this challenging time, her body “was just like, in full panic mode” and was “asking for help.”

Florence and the Scrubs actor dated between 2019 and 2022

Florence Pugh and Zach Braff posing together at an event, addressing age gap and public reaction.

Image credits: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Facebook comment by Will Scott discussing Florence Pugh and Zach Braff's breakup and age gap in a light blue text box.

Man lying on couch cuddling a small dog near large yellow flowers and rainy window, reflecting Florence Pugh age gap with ex Zach Braff.

Image credits: florencepugh

Comment screenshot showing a discussion about Florence Pugh addressing age gap and public reaction with ex Zach Braff.

Florence added that she felt pressured to spend all her energy focusing on the wellbeing of others, ultimately neglecting her own mental health.

“When you are such a bubbly person and you fill in a lot of energy for other people, I’m definitely the last person that I look after.

“I felt like there was an expectation that I needed to be good for everybody else. My issues, my worries, my pains weren’t worthy of being spoken about because it would bring people down.

“Then of course you find yourself in a pit or in a mess.”

Florence previously defended Zach after turning off comments on her social media to protect him from criticism

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Florence Pugh (@florencepugh)

Comment by Ben Mapp discussing adults and privacy, relating to Florence Pugh age gap with ex Zach Braff controversy.

The star went on to discuss her powerful performance in Midsommar, which earned her critical acclaim but left her reconsidering how far she’s willing to push herself for a role.

In the 2019 horror film, Florence plays a woman who travels to Sweden and becomes entangled with a violent cult.

Florence Pugh and Zach Braff at a movie premiere, addressing the age gap and public reactions between them.

Image credits: Tristan Fewings/WireImage

She revealed that the role had adverse effects on her and that she suffered from mental illness for months afterward.

“I’d ab*sed myself and really manipulated my own emotions to get a performance. I just can’t exhaust myself like that because it has a knock-on effect.”

Image credits: Louis Theroux

The Oppenheimer actress told the podcast host that she’s now in a “very good” relationship and focusing on her mental health. Though she didn’t mention any names, Florence is rumored to be dating Peaky Blinders star Finn Cole.

Fans showed support for the “authentic” and “dedicated” actress after her candid interview

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing Florence Pugh’s relationship and age gap with ex Zach Braff.

Social media comment mentioning dating Zach Braff and hinting at challenges related to Florence Pugh age gap discussion.

Comment on social media expressing support for Florence Pugh amid criticism about age gap with ex Zach Braff.

Screenshot of a social media comment expressing astonishment, related to Florence Pugh and age gap discussion with ex Zach Braff.

Comment on social media from user byford500 expressing approval of Florence Pugh's changed approach regarding age gap with Zach Braff.

Comment on social media post expressing surprise about someone's sheltered life, related to Florence Pugh age gap discussion.

User comment praising Florence Pugh as a dedicated actress with consistently enjoyable roles and varied project quality.

Comment by talicza discussing mental health and panic attacks, reflecting on Florence Pugh age gap with ex Zach Braff.

Comment by user loganda88 expressing a view on acting and feelings, related to Florence Pugh age gap discussion

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!