Celebrities Who Ditched Smartphones For A Better Life
Elton John
Elton John, one of music's greatest icons, has a well-known distaste for modern technology. He once advocated for shutting down the entire internet for five years, believing it interferes with real creativity. Unsurprisingly, he has never owned a smartphone and likely never used one. His anti-tech stance may sound extreme, but it reflects his desire to keep things authentic and human.
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley gave up her phone in 2014, saying it improved her life dramatically. Without a device, she found herself talking to strangers more often and feeling freer. She later switched to a flip phone and only uses her iPhone on Wi-Fi, with no data plan. Her decision wasn’t about avoiding people, it was about reconnecting with them.
Casey Affleck
Casey Affleck once took the dramatic step of throwing his phone into the ocean due to fears over its health effects; specifically, the potential cancer risks. It wasn’t about screen addiction or social media pressure; it was about physical safety. Though he eventually replaced the phone, he still limits his usage.
Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale isn’t a fan of smartphones and has openly said she’s “not much interested in an iPhone.” She proudly used a red Verizon LG flip phone. In an interview with Slash Gear, she revealed her tech preferences lean toward the vintage, she likes a record player and a good book far more than an iPod or smartphone.
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen is rumored to have never owned a cell phone and that hasn't slowed his career one bit. With roles like Gandalf and Magneto under his belt, McKellen proves that constant connectivity isn't necessary for success. He enjoys a rich life full of theatre, film, and close friendships, particularly with fellow actor Patrick Stewart.
Vince Vaugh
Vince Vaughn intentionally avoids owning a phone. While he's comfortable using one when needed, he prefers to borrow someone else’s rather than be constantly reachable. His reason? He values privacy. Vaughn doesn’t want to be tracked down at all hours, and he relishes the freedom that comes from being unplugged.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker avoids phone calls entirely; her main fear being a full voicemail box. Instead, she prefers email and checks it regularly using her Blackberry. She says she can’t keep up with both calls and emails, so she picked the one she finds easier to manage. Her communication style may seem old-fashioned, but it works well for someone balancing fame, family, and a busy schedule.
Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken has never owned a mobile phone or a computer, and he’s perfectly content that way. He describes phones like watches—if you need one, someone else nearby probably has it. During an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Walken explained he simply missed the digital wave.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran ditched his smartphone in 2017 to escape the mental drain of social media. He switched to a flip phone, explaining that his previous phone use left him overwhelmed and deeply unhappy. After making the switch, he felt like a "veil had lifted." The move came as part of a broader push toward a more grounded, creative lifestyle.
Karl Lagerfeld
The late fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld steered clear of mobile phones. Despite being at the forefront of couture, he didn’t embrace modern tech. He did own computers but not for use. Instead, he found them aesthetically pleasing and used them more like décor. His lifestyle was about choosing where to focus attention, and digital gadgets never made the cut. Lagerfeld’s rejection of phones was less rebellion, more an elegant dismissal of distractions.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber doesn’t own a cellphone and instead uses an iPad to stay in touch but only with select people. He uses it as a boundary-setting tool, helping him control who can reach him. In an interview with Billboard, he said, “I just don’t feel like I owe anybody anything.” His approach to communication is part of a larger effort to maintain mental wellness and balance in a chaotic world.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks once broke up with her Blackberry due to a genuine addiction. She used it so frequently that she developed physical pain, prompting a full detox from the device. Though she may use a phone occasionally, she now keeps digital contact at a minimum.
Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell owns a cell phone but rarely uses it. He opts for a basic model and avoids texting or calling unless absolutely necessary. While paparazzi have caught him with two phones in hand, his day-to-day lifestyle stays largely offline. Cowell prefers simplicity, and his phone habits reflect that.
David Sedaris
Author and humorist David Sedaris lives almost entirely off the grid. He doesn’t own a mobile phone or use email, and he avoids the internet altogether because he believes it “takes away a year of your life.” He never learned to type properly, so he prefers handwriting letters and notes.
Mikhail Prokhorov
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov refuses to own a phone or even a computer. He handwrites all of his correspondence and avoids the internet, believing it offers too much information with no filter. His strict stance on tech may seem radical, but his financial success suggests otherwise.
Andy Rooney
Before passing away, 60 Minutes commentator Andy Rooney was well known for his anti-tech opinions. He loathed gadgets; cellphones, eBooks, computers, you name it. Although he did own a computer, he used it solely for writing and often blamed Bill Gates for overcomplicating things. Rooney’s resistance to technology was part grumpy charm, part genuine concern for society’s growing dependence on screens.
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffet, despite being one of the wealthiest people alive, still uses a basic Nokia flip phone. He’s never owned a smartphone and avoids email entirely. Buffet is known for his frugality and practicality. He believes in keeping things simple and effective, showing that success doesn’t require the latest gadgets or digital bells and whistles.
Michael Cera
Michael Cera avoids smartphones by choice, fearing they’d take over his life. He recalls having lunch with his best friend during the Blackberry boom, his friend spent the whole time emailing, leaving Cera feeling invisible. That moment stuck with him. Ever since, he’s kept a distance from smartphones, opting for a lifestyle that favours real interaction over screen time.
Dolly Parton
Country music legend Dolly Parton mostly avoids phones altogether and communicates through a fax machine. Her goddaughter Miley Cyrus explained that Dolly sends faxes, which someone then scans and texts on her behalf, always with a signature. This charmingly old-school method reflects Dolly’s timeless personality.
Chris Pine
Chris Pine held onto a flip phone for four years and only switched to an iPhone in 2022 but instantly regretted it. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he admitted the smartphone quickly overwhelmed him, calling it a “crack machine” and blaming it for pulling him into celebrity gossip and useless information. Pine said he missed his analog life, where he wasn’t bombarded by pop culture updates and had more space for literature and peace.
