Sandra Bullock went viral quite literally when she joined Instagram earlier this year.
The actress, 62, finally made her official social media debut in April, instantly skyrocketing to millions of followers, with her first posts promoting her upcoming comeback film, Practical Magic 2.
© Getty ImagesDuring an appearance on the podcast SmartLess with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, Sandra explained some of the motivations behind making the move online – including scams!
Why online scams persuaded Sandra Bullock to join Instagram
She first explained that she had to hop onto the platform about a year and a half prior to shut down speculation that she was interacting with fans privately and scamming them out of money.
"There were people that were using my name and likeness to scam money out of people," Sandra revealed, noting that there were people who would send messages to her sister Gesine Bullock-Prado to the tune of: "Your sister took thousands of dollars from me, my bags are packed, I'm meeting her."
She expanded on the "harm" it was causing to families who were unable to decipher whether it was all fake, and she had to step in and actually call them to verify that it wasn't her.
"I had no intention of ever going on social media, it wasn't my calling," the Miss Congeniality star continued. However, while the scams did stop for a bit, they never quit, with the star exasperatedly calling them "never-ending."
© Getty ImagesJoining social media to promote Practical Magic 2
During an appearance at the CNBC Changemakers 2026 event back in April, the actress expanded further upon her decision to join the platform, and what we shouldn't expect to see from her on Instagram (where she now boasts over six million followers).
"It didn't feel like it would ever be my thing," she explained. "I do have two kids, and I was like, I need to figure this out. So I'd been on social media, but quietly, just to learn and shop."
© InstagramHowever, when Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-CEO Pamela Abdy asked whether Sandra would consider joining to help promote the Practical Magic sequel, which is slated to arrive in theaters this fall, the mom-of-two began to take it more seriously.
She continued: "I'm not spontaneous. I need a plan. I need to think about it. How does that affect what I can contribute? How badly can I [expletive] it up? Which, that will come, and I'm just going to lean into that."
© InstagramSandra eventually went to the studio and said: "OK, talk to me, tell me what you see, because if I need to be able to make myself look like an idiot and have fun, I will not be doing selfies or makeup tutorials," then joking: "I'm excited to see how I can contribute. And if it works after the film is over, maybe I will do a makeup line."
