Adolescence star Owen Cooper has skyrocketed to fame after the success of the Netflix series, and he recently revealed how he stays down to earth.

Cooper recently won a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television. After the ceremony, the actor, who is only 16 years old, spoke to People about the importance of staying connected to friends and family as well as the routines that shaped his life before his breakout role as Jamie Miller in Adolescence.

I’ve got my family around me [and] I’ve got amazing friends, you know? I’ve got amazing people around me. I went to school the day after Adolescence came out, and it was just the same. I tried to keep it the same.

Cooper credited his ability to stay modest to his loved ones, noting that their guidance has helped keep his life stable despite his sudden rise to fame. Even after Adolescence premiered to wide critical acclaim, he continued attending school, and his day-to-day schedule was more or less unchanged. He explained that preserving a sense of normalcy has allowed him to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the pressures that come with being a celebrity.

I’ve got the best support, best protection, so I can’t not keep my feet on the ground.

Adolescence is a drama series that follows the dark story of Jamie (Cooper), a middle school student who is accused of killing a girl from his class. The actor’s portrayal of a teenager grappling with fear, confusion, and the collapse of his childhood was praised by critics and audiences alike. The role earned him several nominations and wins for prestigious awards, making him one of the breakout stars of the year.

In addition to his Critics’ Choice Awards win, Cooper has been nominated at this year’s Golden Globes in the Best Supporting Actor on Television category. He is also a nominee for the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series. These nominations follow his Emmy Award win last year for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. He was one of the youngest stars to ever receive the award.

Cooper also reflected on how the past year has changed his life. He described the experience as transformative, not only for himself but also for his family. He added that he was incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have come his way and that he won’t take any of them for granted.

This past year has been a complete whirlwind for me and my family, honestly. It’s changed our lives forever. We’re forever grateful. We cherish every single moment of it.

Adolescence is available to stream on Netflix.