Penelope Cruz, who has avoided driving for most of her adult life due to a severe phobia, may finally be ready to get behind the wheel thanks to a birthday gift from U2 frontman Bono. The Oscar-winning actress revealed the development during an appearance on the YouTube series 'Hot Ones,' explaining that the rock star's grand gesture has made it impossible to ignore the issue.
Bono's Grand Gesture
Cruz stated that Bono gave her a car for her most recent birthday. While she acknowledged that turning down a car from a friend is one thing, refusing to even obtain a driver's license to use it felt like a step too far. The gift, she said, has pushed her to consider finally confronting her long-standing fear.
A Lifelong Fear of Vehicles
Cruz's reluctance is not mere nervousness but a deep-seated phobia. She described on the show that even sitting as a passenger in a moving car can trigger anxiety within minutes. Experts differentiate between two related conditions: vehophobia, the fear of driving, and amaxophobia, a broader fear of riding in vehicles. Cruz's experience appears to encompass elements of both.
The root of her fear traces back to a traumatic childhood event. Cruz has previously recounted witnessing her sister Monica being hit by a car when Cruz was around eight years old. She has called it one of the most traumatic memories of her childhood. Although Monica recovered without lasting physical injury, the incident left a permanent psychological mark on how Cruz relates to cars.
Household of Non-Drivers
Cruz is not alone in her driving avoidance within her family. Her husband, actor Javier Bardem, has stated in past interviews that he also rarely drives, despite having attended events related to motorsports, such as the premiere of the film 'F1' last year.
Will She Finally Drive?
Whether Bono's gift will ultimately lead to Cruz passing a driving test remains uncertain. However, for an actress who has spent decades avoiding the wheel, the mere fact that she is openly discussing the possibility of trying again marks a significant shift in her approach to this long-standing fear.
