Discover Why Susan Powter Rejected Kevin Costner’s Offer to Star in ‘Waterworld’

Remember Susan Powter, the energetic wellness guru from the ’90s? She made waves with her famous catchphrase, “Stop the Insanity!” Recently, she shared some intriguing insights about her life and career in a chat with Entertainment Weekly.

Powter rose to fame with her weight-loss infomercial, which turned into a pop culture hit and earned her a fortune. With success came many unique opportunities. Some she embraced, like her own talk show and guest appearances on popular shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Others didn’t sit right with her. She felt that her management was steering her away from her message of health and wellness and toward a more superficial celebrity lifestyle.

In a memorable moment, Powter recalled a phone call from Kevin Costner while she was at a hair salon in Beverly Hills. He wanted to discuss a role in his film Waterworld. They talked about a character described as a “crazy warrior,” but Powter wasn’t interested. She felt the role didn’t align with who she was. “I’m passionate; I’m not angry,” she explained, reiterating her core beliefs.

This conversation didn’t sit well with her manager, who was eager for her to take on movie roles. But Powter held her ground. She prioritized staying true to herself over chasing film opportunities, even if it seemed like a missed chance for her career.

Looking back, she doesn’t regret the decision. She appreciated the respectful talk with Costner and emphasized that she didn’t want to portray women in a negative light. “The opening line of Stop the Insanity! is I am not angry; I’m passionate,” she noted, highlighting the importance of her message.

Although Waterworld didn’t perform well at the box office, it achieved cult status over the years and even inspired a popular stunt show at Universal Studios theme parks around the world.

Today, Powter is working on various new projects, including a podcast, a nationwide RV tour, and promoting her memoir, And Then Em Died…. A documentary about her life, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, is also in the works. Powter’s journey from a successful wellness icon to surviving hardships offers relatable stories for many, especially women facing life’s challenges.

Stay tuned for more from Powter’s reflective interviews and her continued journey in wellness and storytelling.