Every awards season brings glamorous red carpets, polished interviews, and carefully crafted personas—but Vanity Fair’s Watch Iconic Videos series continues to prove that the most magnetic moments happen when actors drop the façade and simply react. In three new episodes, the outlet brings together some of the most compelling men in modern Hollywood—A$AP Rocky, Glen Powell, LaKeith Stanfield, Callum Turner, Austin Butler, Michael B. Jordan, Paul Mescal, Jonathan Bailey, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson, and Riz Ahmed—for a format that’s part nostalgia trip, part therapy session, and part delightful chaos.
What makes this series stand out isn’t just the star power, though that certainly helps. It’s the honesty. Something happens when you sit actors down with their own past: ego melts away, memories resurface, cringe becomes universal, and every clip turns into a gateway to unexpected confession. These episodes remind us why audiences remain endlessly fascinated with performers—not only for their craft, but for the human stories that shape it.
A$AP Rocky, Glen Powell, LaKeith Stanfield & Callum Turner – Confidence, Chaos, and Creative Transformation
This group dynamic is pure electricity. A$AP Rocky’s laid-back humor, Glen Powell’s charismatic ease, LaKeith Stanfield’s philosophical spontaneity, and Callum Turner’s quiet wit create a strangely perfect balance. Each reacts to their earlier work with a mix of pride, disbelief, and the playful self-roasting that only comes from years of growth.
Rocky brings a musician’s perspective—he talks rhythm, aesthetics, and cultural shifts with a kind of effortless cool. Powell leans into storytelling, often turning even a five-second clip into a cinematic memory. Stanfield is unpredictable in the best way; his reflections are half-poetry, half-stream-of-consciousness comedy. Turner, meanwhile, grounds the group, adding nuance and emotional context.
Their episode captures the joyful chaos of collaboration. You can see how differently they each approach creativity—yet their chemistry reveals why ensemble casts often become greater than the sum of their parts. It’s the kind of conversation you’d expect from four artists at a late-night diner after wrapping a project: unfiltered, honest, and full of unexpected insight.
Austin Butler, Michael B. Jordan & Paul Mescal – Vulnerability Behind the Stardom
The second episode shifts into a different emotional register. With just three guests—Austin Butler, Michael B. Jordan, and Paul Mescal—the energy becomes more introspective, even intimate. Each of these actors rocketed to fame through roles that demanded emotional intensity, and it shows when they watch their younger selves onscreen.
Butler’s reflections carry a softness; he speaks with gratitude about the long road from teen roles to his Oscar-nominated transformation. Jordan brings a grounded confidence, shaped by years of navigating Hollywood’s expectations with purpose and drive. Mescal’s approach is thoughtful and deeply self-aware, often spotlighting the vulnerability that fuels his performances.
Together, they create a masterclass in emotional honesty. Instead of laughing off their early careers, they examine them—what they learned, what they regret, what surprised them. It’s rare to see rising icons articulate their craft with this level of clarity. Their conversations feel like an invitation into the inner workings of ambition, fear, and resilience.
Jonathan Bailey, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson & Riz Ahmed – Heart, Humor, and the Power of Legacy
The third episode is pure gold for anyone who loves seeing actors dissect the heart of their craft. Jonathan Bailey, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson, and Riz Ahmed are a dream combination: soulful, articulate, and wickedly funny.
Bailey radiates warmth and infectious enthusiasm. Garfield remains one of Hollywood’s most emotionally open storytellers—every clip sends him into a thoughtful recollection about identity, art, and responsibility. Dickinson brings youthful sharpness and humility, while Ahmed grounds the discussion with razor-focused insight into culture, representation, and the evolving language of cinema.
Their reflections often drift into unexpectedly profound territory. They discuss fame with startling candor, examine how early work shapes later choices, and joke about the beautifully strange nature of Hollywood. Garfield and Ahmed, in particular, strike a nerve when they talk about artistic legacy—how the things we create ripple outward far beyond what we imagine.
This episode captures the emotional heartbeat of the entire series: artists grappling with who they were, who they are, and who they still hope to become.
Why This Series Works So Well
Across all three episodes, the magic lies in contrast. These men are icons—red carpet regulars, franchise leads, critically acclaimed performers. Yet watching them confront their own history creates relatability. When a superhero actor cringes at a teenage commercial, or a Golden Globe winner bursts into laughter at an old dance scene, the distance between celebrity and audience shrinks.
But beyond the humor, these conversations explore something deeper: how identity evolves. Every actor becomes a mirror for their own past. They assess mistakes, celebrate growth, and reflect on the sheer unpredictability of creative careers. The series thrives because it blends nostalgia with self-examination—something all viewers can connect with, whether or not they’ve ever stood in front of a camera.
For fans who love peeking into the real emotional journeys behind Hollywood’s biggest names, this is essential viewing. And for anyone who enjoys discovering cinematic gems, a curated film companion might just complete the experience.
