Weight lifter and fitness influencer, Joseph Baena was featured in the popular 2022 edition of the ‘Men’s Health’ March issue that covered his fitness regimes and association with his high-achieving father and IFBB pro, Arnold Schwarzenegger. In a recent interview with E! News Online, the young bodybuilder shared an honest confession about a persistent issue in his life. The young athlete aspires to flourish in the film industry and is the only child of his single mother. He revealed that, despite his efforts, his life has been subject to unending comparisons with his star father and it bothers him greatly.

Yet, he works hard to make ends meet, by indulging in the real estate business, athletic feats and has already been featured in a number of films. He wishes to make it big in life, but with his own capabilities. Particularly, Baena highlighted that every and any news about him brings out such differentiations. Even though he holds great respect for Schwarzenegger, the athlete intends to figure things out his own way, without utilizing his father’s success.

Joseph Baena feels disturbed by constant collation with Arnold Schwarzenegger

According to the interview, the 25-year-old aspiring actor wants to pursue his career with his own capabilities, regardless of his association with the icon. However, his actions are most often subject to intense criticism, especially in social media spaces, where users mindlessly compare and pick on his physique or talent. 

“It was really bothering me that anytime I would get any kind of role or press, or I would post a physique picture on Instagram, I would always get comments of, ‘You’re only there because of your dad’ or whatever,” the 6’0” bodybuilder revealed. Furthermore, Baena uttered that it “bothered” him “at the time” nevertheless, he has learned to tackle the problem to some extent. 

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As per reports, he and the world together found out in 2011, that the seven-time Mr. Olympia was his father. Since then, a turn of events followed. Media attention trailed him and his mother, Mildred Baena everywhere. Yet, he claimed that he has been close to Schwarzenegger after that. Similarly, in another interview, Baena shed light on the matter from another perspective. 

Joseph Baena explains why the world compares him with Arnold Schwarzenegger

The actor participated in the popular show, DWTS, and impressed the spectators with admirable performances. However, he was eventually reeled out from Season 31. Hence, talking about the experience in the interview, he was asked about his thoughts on people’s views about being Schwarzenegger’s son. He said, “With having a high-achieving parent, there will always be comparisons because that’s what people know.”

“They don’t know me yet, per se, and so the only thing that they do know is my father. And so that’s how they compare me and contrast so they can figure out what kind of person I am,” Baena added. 

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Being a son to a high-succeeding parent has its own set of challenges. Nonetheless, he’s one-eyed on achieving his goals, be it in business, at the gym, or on film sets. Have you also found yourself comparing him to his iconic father? Tell us in the comments.