Throughout much of her adult life, Penelope Cruz has largely avoided driving. However, this may soon change, thanks to a thoughtful birthday gift from her friend Bono, the lead singer of U2, known for his grand gestures.
In a recent episode of the YouTube series "Hot Ones," Cruz shared that Bono surprised her with a car for her latest birthday. She now feels that declining such a gift from a rock star is one thing, but not even obtaining a driver's license to operate it seems excessive.
Cruz's hesitation stems from a deep-seated fear rather than mere apprehension. She has described her anxiety as a long-standing issue, where even being a passenger in a moving vehicle can trigger significant stress. Experts categorize this as vehophobia, the fear of driving, and amaxophobia, which encompasses a broader fear of being in vehicles.
This fear appears to have roots in her childhood. Cruz has recounted witnessing her sister Monica being struck by a car when she was about eight years old, an event she considers one of her most traumatic memories. Although Monica recovered without serious injuries, the incident has profoundly influenced Cruz's relationship with cars.
Interestingly, Cruz's husband, Javier Bardem, shares a similar sentiment. He has mentioned in previous interviews that he rarely drives, despite attending events related to motorsports, such as the premiere of "F1" last year.
While it remains uncertain if Bono's gift will lead to Cruz successfully passing a driving test, the mere fact that she is contemplating the idea of driving again signifies a notable change for the actress.
