Dafne Keen Recalls Being Offered Cocaine at 11 and Credits Hugh Jackman for Protection on Set

Actress Dafne Keen has shared candid revelations regarding her early years working in the entertainment industry, detailing that she was offered illicit substances while attending professional wrap parties as a young child. During an appearance on the Inside of You podcast with host Michael Rosenbaum, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the actress looked back on the environment she encountered as a young performer and explained how those early experiences shaped her personal boundaries and decisions.

Keen, widely recognized for her breakout role as Laura, the mutant clone and biological daughter of Wolverine in the 2017 feature Logan, recalled that she was approached with cocaine at wrap celebrations when she was only eleven years old. When Rosenbaum asked her how old she was when she encountered those offers, Keen indicated she was quite young, specifically between eleven and thirteen years old. She explained that seeing those substances at that stage in her life erased any interest she might have had, emphasizing that she fortunately declined every time.

The Deadpool and Wolverine actress, who recently joined the third season cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and signed representation with UTA, explained that observing industry excess at such a young age permanently influenced her personal choices. Keen stated that she has never consumed enough alcohol to experience a hangover, describing herself as someone who prefers having complete control over her state of mind. While she explained that she still attends social events because she appreciates music, dancing, and socializing, Keen emphasized that she opts to remain completely sober.

Keen recalled that as a teenager, she developed coping mechanisms to avoid intense peer pressure. She revealed that she would sometimes falsely claim to have already consumed a substance simply to keep people from forcing alcohol onto her, noting that she remained completely sober while projecting an excuse to be left alone. Keen also expressed deep gratitude for her Logan co-star Hugh Jackman, crediting him with creating a safe and supportive professional environment for her on set.

Describing Jackman as the best number one call sheet lead she could have hoped for, Keen noted that he felt like a true parental figure who provided positive reinforcement and solid advice. She stressed that Jackman actively protected her well-being during production, making sure that no one abused her working hours and shielding her from any production tensions or disagreements occurring behind the scenes. According to Keen, Jackman prioritized her safety and happiness on set, offering protective mentorship that countered the hazardous environments child performers often face.