Drake Bell Displays on Protection of His Teenage ‘Missteps’ (Unique)

• Drake Bell starred in The Amanda Present and Drake & Josh on Nickelodeon within the 2000s
• The actor tells PEOPLE about “attempting to determine life” as an “adolescent” after Drake & Josh resulted in 2007
• Bell says “there is a robust love” for his music “exterior the U.S.” and he can be heading to South America for tour dates in assist of his newest album, Non-Cease Flight

Life in Hollywood may be powerful on anybody, however navigating it as a child put further strain on Drake Bell.

“While you’re an grownup, in fact, it nonetheless has [an] impact, however once you’re this adolescent attempting to determine life and rapidly you are like, ‘Why each time?’” Bell, 38, tells PEOPLE.

The Nickelodeon alum seems like even when he didn’t “make a mistake” whereas out and about within the 2000s, the media would attempt to make it seem to be he did.

“You are strolling with your folks and also you journey exterior of the Chateau Marmont in your approach to the taco store, and rapidly the following day it is like, ‘Drake Bell stumbles drunk out of the Chateau Marmont,’” Bell says. “You are like, ‘There was a crack! I tripped on the sidewalk!’ It is at all times simply that highlighting of your whole missteps.”

Bell got here up through the peak tabloid period, however he’ll take that over as we speak’s intense social media scrutiny.

“I am grateful that Josh and I missed the social media period whereas we had been working,” he says of former Drake & Josh costar Josh Peck. “We did not have to match, ‘Why did Josh have extra followers than I do on Instagram? Oh, Josh bought extra likes on his image than I did that I posted. What do I’ve to do?’ I am simply so glad that we did not should reside by that.”

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Although Bell has been specializing in his music as he excursions the world for his newest album, Non-Cease Flight, the “I Form of Relate” singer hasn’t deserted performing. Bell reveals he’s been engaged on a “enjoyable romantic comedy” in Mexico, the place he’s amassed a big fan base.

“I am in Mexico so much,” Bell says. “I recorded half my document there. I do numerous work there, however I really feel like I haven’t got a everlasting place proper now simply because I am touring a lot. It is actually spend two days in my condominium after which each different day is in a resort, on a aircraft, in a automobile. I am unsure the place I reside proper now!”

The ex-teen star does contemplate Mexico house now, although, after his music took off there following the top of Drake & Josh.

“I do not know if within the States perhaps generally there’s been a stigma of like, ‘Oh, you are on TV. You are not an actual music [person].’ They simply blur the traces exterior the USA,” Bell hypothesizes of why his music took off in Mexico and South America. “So that they know me from the present, however the first time we went on the market, they’re singing all of the lyrics from the album, the songs that are not on the present, and followers are telling me about my lyrics and my songs. There is a robust love for the music exterior the U.S. It is actually cool.”

Bell says that “loving what I do” has helped him navigate life after opening up in regards to the sexual abuse he endured as a toddler star below his former dialogue coach Brian Peck within the Quiet on Set: The Darkish Aspect of Youngsters TV docuseries final 12 months.

“I need to get on stage and carry out. I need to make films and TV. I need to make individuals snort,” he continues. “I bought to simply keep targeted and comfortable and wholesome and hold my thoughts away from the demons. They’re at all times there, however being optimistic, attempting to not dwell and maintaining individuals round you that care about you, that is one thing that I actually gained. I’ve individuals that basically care about what I’ve to say, and I have to concentrate on this.”