Florence Pugh Opens Up About the Hurt Caused by Backlash Over Her Relationship With Zach Braff

Florence Pugh has never shied away from defending loved ones. The Don’t Worry Darling star addressed the attention surrounding her three-year romance with Zach Braff, which ended in 2022, and how the 21-year age difference amplified the backlash.

During the November 11 episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast, she explained that no amount of talking can fully appease those who crave a story or a reality‑show-style portrayal of their life. She noted that public opinion can shape perceptions even when a couple expresses love and happiness, and that the experience left a mark on her.

She felt compelled to publicly defend the relationship, standing up for Braff and for her own right to make her own choices. She recalled that some publicly visible figures adjusted their viewpoint after hearing her perspective.

Asked about whether she plans to publicly reveal as much about future relationships, she replied that she does not intend to do so anymore.

The backlash was intense enough that she addressed the online abuse aimed at their relationship in a 2020 Instagram video. She described the moment as necessary to remind people that they are real people who deserve respect.

Since splitting from Braff in 2022, Pugh has adopted a more guarded approach to her private life. She reflected that if others don’t know about something, they can’t comment on it, and she vowed to defend loved ones while setting boundaries when needed. If exposing a certain part of her life invites nastiness, she would stop discussing that portion.

She also underscored that social media sharing should serve a purpose and not become a vehicle for mockery, a lesson she intends to carry forward in how she presents herself publicly.