Cole Sprouse Reveals Why He's 'More Zen' Now About Being Famous

Cole Sprousehas been grappling with the idea of celebrity and fame longer than most in the public eye as someone who started working when he was 8 months old. The actor, 26, who became a household name when he was 10 starring opposite his twin brother Dylan in the Disney Channel’sThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and its spinoffThe Suite Life On Deck, admits that he’s been able to make some peace with his celebrity status as he’s gotten older.

Cole Sprouse Says 'Riverdale' Cast Is Ready for Show to End: 'Wrap It Up with a Bow'

Robert Falconer/The CW. Cole Sprouseis preparing to hang up Jughead’s crown. “I’m not a creative force behind [Riverdale]. I actually have no creative control,” said Sprouse. “We show up, receive the scripts often the day of, and we’re asked to shoot.” He’s played beloved comic book character Jughead Jones for the entirety of the show’s run, which is currently in its sixth season. Although Sprouse was offered the chance to direct an episode, he declined the opportunity, knowing he’d have to submit to the network’s needs.

Cole Sprouse Says Childhood Fame Is 'Trauma' — But He Can't 'Compare' His Journey to Young Women

Photo: Araya Doheny/WireImageCole Sprouseis sharing some harsh truths about what child stars endure.In aNew York Timesprofile, the 29-year-oldRiverdalestar opened up about the “trauma” that comes from working in the entertainment industry at a young age.“My brother [Dylan] and I used to get quite a bit of, ‘Oh, you made it out! Oh, you’re unscathed!’ No. The young women on the channel we were on [Disney Channel] were so heavily sexualized from such an earlier age than my brother and I that there’s absolutely no way that we could compare our experiences,” he said.

Cole Sprouse Says He Doesn't 'Care' About Lili Reinhart Breakup Reports: 'You Have to Poke Fun'

Cole Sprousesays he laughed off news that he and girlfriendLili Reinharthave broken up. While attendingVariety‘s Power of Young Hollywood at The H Club Los Angeles on Tuesday, theRiverdalestar toldEntertainment Tonightthat while he was “incredibly” annoyed at the rumors, he didn’t take them too seriously. “I don’t care. That’s the nature of our industry,” he toldET. “I think you have to poke fun of it a little bit,” Sprouse added. “It’s kind of something you sign up for, but as long as can keep it light and fun, it’s all good.

Cole Sprouse Says He Lost 25 Lbs. to Play Terminally Ill Teen in Five Feet Apart

Photo: CBS FILMSIn taking on his newest role — playing a lovestruck teen living with cystic fibrosis inFive Feet Apart—Cole Sprousedid extensive research about the disease in order to properly and respectfully portray how it impacts those living with it.“Cystic fibrosis is not really as in the public eye as it probably should be,” Sprouse tells PEOPLE in the latest issue. “It’s one of those illnesses that everyone sort of knows the name of but doesn’t really know the gravity of.