Jessica Biel Reveals Why She and Justin Timberlake Moved Away from Los Angeles

The couple, who have owned houses in Tennessee and Montana, are looking for a sense of 'normalcy' out of the spotlight, Biel says

Jessica Biel is leaning into life out of the spotlight with husband Justin Timberlake and their kids.

The actress and author, 42, opened up about her family’s decision to move away from Los Angeles so their family could have a sense of “normalcy,” during an episode of SiriusXM’s Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa on May 22.

Biel explains that in major cities, it was hard to go anywhere without being recognized in public, especially with their two sons, Phineas, 3½, and Silas, 9.

“I don't really think they necessarily respect that, you know, if we're out and about with our kids,” she says, referring to fans and paparazzi. “It can be somewhat country dependent, where if we're in this country, in the States, it's kind of like state by state, you know. You get hammered on the East Coast, you kind of get hammered on the West Coast. That's why we don't really live there anymore.”

The actress acknowledges she and Timberlake's work has "this major public facing element" but says, “It's just trying to create some normalcy for these kids, and we want to share our family with our loved ones and friends."

Related: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Selling Hollywood Hills Home for $35 Million: 'They're Rarely in L.A.'

Biel adds that her kids will have the option to decide if they want to live a life in the spotlight when they’re older.

“And I know this very social media world is where they exist and where they live and that will be a very big part of their life and their reality. I just don't want it to be on my account, so we try to engage in a way that feels authentic,” she says, adding that it’s “just our family choice.”

Related: Inside Justin Timberlake's 'Under the Radar' Life Amid Britney Spears Memoir Backlash (Exclusive)

In October 2021, Biel and Timberlake listed their Hollywood Hills home for $35 million as they were spending less time in Los Angeles and more time at their Montana residence, a source told PEOPLE at the time.

"They're rarely in L.A. and are happy to live in Montana," the source added.

PEOPLE previously confirmed that the couple also had a 27-acre property in Tennessee, which they listed for $10 million in August 2023. According to a source close to Biel, the actress didn’t enjoy living in the Nashville area.

“Jessica never liked living in Nashville. They were trying to sell their Hollywood Hills house but took it off the market because she misses L.A.,” the source told PEOPLE last year. “They just don’t think L.A. is great for the kids.”

Records confirm that the Southern California property was taken off the market in January 2022 and hasn’t been listed again since.

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Multiple sources told PEOPLE in 2023 that the couple often travel between Los Angeles, New York and Nashville for work commitments and quick visits, though they appear to spend much of their time in Montana.

They found a sanctuary in an ultra-private and lavish gated community in Big Sky. According to local residents, over the past eight years the couple have taken on a cozy and quiet approach to life away from the spotlight.

New episodes of SiriusXM's Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa are available every Wednesday on the SiriusXM app and wherever podcasts are available.

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Read the original article on People.