You don’t know me. Chances are, we may never meet. Not unless I get very lucky at a convention or one of your Radio Company concerts. I wish I could say I’d be okay with that, but the fangirl in me has to be honest—it would be an honor if I could. (You’re actually on my bucket list, believe it or not.)
However, that’s not the point of this letter. Call it an open letter, on the off chance you come across it. I imagine your Ackles Army fans will disagree with what I’m about to say, as they’ve disagreed with a ton of the posts I’ve written in the past. That’s okay. I think I’m a part of a small sub-section of the fandom that see you as a person, as opposed to an object to admire for beauty and only that.
You’re a human being. A flawed, imperfect human being. Yes, you have aged like fine wine. I’m not going to deny that. For someone approaching his 50s, you look at least ten years younger. Add in green eyes, that wicked smile of yours when you use it, and many a person would be swooning. You seem to know when to use it and that is always a dangerous thing, regardless of the person’s gender.
You’re also a talented actor—when you apply yourself. When you apply yourself, many are shaken by the depths. I know especially in earlier seasons of Supernatural, we were floored. There’s immense potential in you. It’s been seen. It’s been recognized.
You lost yourself. You were once an orchestra that was in tune, playing beautifully. Your energies were in synch with Jared and the show. You were doing well in conventions. As time progressed, cracks were beginning to be seen. At the end of Supernatural, those cracks were gaping wide, seeping wounds for anyone to see. (Well, anyone not of your Ackles Army fan group.)
You wounded Jared with your actions. You accused fans of not being true fans of Supernatural if they didn’t believe or support The Winchesters. You made up stories, twisted the truth. More things became obvious—friendships made for the benefit of yourself as opposed to the benefit of the heart and soul. It would seem to the outsider that sycophants were giving you the worst of advice while you were ignoring the ones you should be listening to.
You pushed a narrative that to many were obviously untrue. The discordant notes in your orchestra were getting louder, noticeable to even those who weren’t musically inclined. You still push that narrative and to many of us, myself included, we frown and purse our lips, aware of just how false it is.
While you are looking better as you have been seen in conventions, there’s something tugging at the eyes, pulling at the soul. Is it just the discordant notes? Is it the insincerity of the stories? Is it the signs of excess alcohol that can be seen at the edges?
Or is it the tons of photos and videos that we’ve seen since 2019? Where the unhappiness is so noticeable that those who care feel their hearts aching and wishing we could reach through and give you a genuine hug? To give you something real that isn’t acquired by having a somewhat well-known name and money to spend? That the only benefit would be to the heart and soul and not to the pocketbook?
To industry experts, you had potential. But since the end of Supernatural, the offers weren’t flying to you like you expected. You called Eric for a role in The Boys and you were supplied Soldier Boy. Then you reached out to Ben for Big Sky. You’ve been sort of networking to those you’ve worked with in the past or had a shared history at the CW, but nothing beyond that.
You coasted, when you should’ve worked. In Hollywood, the real work is at premiers and red carpets where you meet other people in the industry and make yourself known. You have charisma; it radiates off you on the screen. But you don’t spread it.
You can’t expect the pollen to come to you. Be the butterfly, be the bee, and go hopping from flower to flower.
Go spend a month with Jared. He’s had regular work for twenty-four years. He took his career responsibly and maybe he’s had some missteps, but overall, he’s had praise from cast and crew alike. He’s ran regular success, enough that his future is secure for some time.
Humble yourself. Set aside your pride. We do believe in you, we believe in your future as an actor, but for all that is good, please, acknowledge there’s much you do not know.
One of your biggest cracks would be your marriage to Danneel. We do not see any joy or happiness there. No real love. Despite your exaggerated narratives that you tell at conventions, it’s just not believable. Is it fear of being seen as a failure? Is it fear of being alone? Is it fear of losing access to your children? Given you barely see them already….
The only failure is never try a different way. Your narrative to Hollywood is wildly inconsistent, other than the loud blaring that says you do not know who you are. That you change with who you are with.
Who is the real Jensen? Who is the man behind the beauty? Who is the man behind the mask? Is he still the little boy who was wrongly taught by his father that the beatings were meant with love? Is he still the young man who thought he made the right decision to go through the wedding when he wasn’t ready? Is he still the one who decided that perhaps it was best to rarely be home as he couldn’t be himself there?
I would love to set that orchestra back to being beautiful music again.
