As I mentioned yesterday, Michelle Williams is the February cover girl for Marie Claire. The above photo is an interesting one from the photo shoot – Michelle has nice legs, doesn’t she? Too bad she usually covers them up in matronly cream of wheat gowns and little-girl dresses. In the previous excerpts from Marie Claire, we heard a little bit about how Reese Witherspoon basically told Michelle to stop whining. Now Marie Claire has released more of the interview (here), and while there are no more details about that Reese stuff, Michelle does spend much of the interview talking about Heath Ledger and her daughter
On why she gives bad interviews: “An interview is like a minefield,” Williams says, rubbing her eyes wearily. “These are all the questions I’m asking myself, and some things are just too personal. It’s funny how little lines get drawn and something just rubs a little too raw. I find it hard to know exactly what to say; I’ve gotten a pretty secure footing, but I feel like I don’t have all the answers yet.”
Filling the void: “Very obviously, for me and for her, there’s a hole in our life.” Williams says. “Of course the natural inclination is to want to fill it and make it disappear, but what I’ve come to recently is that it’s impossible. Nothing will fit in that hole because what we want back we can’t get, which is this one person. I’m not going to rush anything and scamper around like a mad person and make myself crazy. I’m trying to be respectful of the absence. I’m not trying to fill it up. It is what it is.”
On the rumor that she and Ryan Gosling are dating: With a rueful smile, Williams shakes her head. “My poor mom really wants me to meet someone. I think she wanted to believe the Ryan Gosling rumor more than anybody,” she says.
On not knowing what she wants out of a relationship: “I don’t know what my version of a relationship or marriage is yet, because the typical model seems a little broken to me,” she admits. “At the same time, I was raised on all those princess fairy tales and I’m a romantic; I want to be a one-man girl. I took Matilda to Disney World recently and we saw all the princesses, and then she turned around and said, ‘OK, now I’d like to see where all the princes are.’ The Disney person said, ‘Nobody has ever asked me that before. There aren’t any princes here, honey.’” Williams sighs. “The idea that you can get everything you want in one person is destructive, and maybe when you accept that the number is closer to 50 or 60 or 70 percent, that’s when you can start to make some progress in choosing the right person. I don’t want to make a mistake that big, and that saddens me, because it’s harder to let yourself go. I can inflict any kind of injury on myself, but with my daughter, that’s not an option.”
On going back to work after Heath‘s death: “I didn’t work for a year. I needed to gather myself and put my life back together. I had to be dragged back to work, basically, because I finally had my life in some kind of order, and I didn’t know what would happen if I introduced work into it. I had forgotten that it was worth it.” That discovery has been crucial. “With the last three movies I’ve made, I’ve had the feeling of working at the edge of my abilities,” Williams says. “That’s an exhilarating and terrifying place to live, and I don’t go there easily. It has its rewards, but it’s not a dinner party. I’m constantly pushed up against the wall of what I’m capable of doing, and that can be an excruciating place to confront yourself. But I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that work gives you a good feeling about yourself. My work has seen me through a lot of situations, and if not for work, I would have stayed stuck in the experience. I’ve had something outside of myself to attend to, and it’s carried me through. It’s been invaluable, and I want to pass on that lesson to my daughter.”
[From Marie Claire]
I have to admit, I like how well-spoken Michelle is here. She seems very thoughtful and not as… I don’t know… “wispy” as she usually does. She seems stronger. Good for her.
Lastly… Michelle was at the National Board of Review Awards last night (photo below). She wore this black lace Oscar de la Renta… which I don’t like on her. The fit is off, the Mia Farrow hair isn’t good for the dress, and the skirt is too much for Michelle’s frame. That being said, it’s nice to see her showing some skin up top. She usually is covered up completely.
Marie Claire photos courtesy of Marie Claire. Additional pic courtesy of WENN.
Her style is so f’n boring. Just an endless parade of knee-length cutesy dresses.
interesting interview, it definitely seems like she is slowly getting her life together and moving past Heath’s death. Wasn’t she engaged to Spike Jonze at one point? Guess it was too much too soon.
Kaiser-sometimes it seems like you are only satisfied with short skirts and skin. What’s wrong with someone dressing a little more conservative? Michelle Williams is truly a role model, someone I wouldn’t mind my daughter looking up to.
Ohhh finally a good photo. I love the first photo, she’s very cute with scruffy hairs and showing more skin.
Good interview too (man, she talks a lot!).
But.. the Awards-something-photo.. is hideous. I’m seriously thinking she likes to age herself. Because that’s the only reason I can find in that and all previous photos she took.
From these exerpts, I gather that she is doing her best to respond to the questions but trying to keep the examples as generic as possible. These bits don’t show if she even said Heath’s name. It does not matter to me – my analysis is that she is trying to fulfil her promotional duties as an actress by saying enough yet not very much at all. Some people do it maddeningly poorly. Michelle does it right.
I wish the best for her and Matilda.
Boy Disney movies really f*cked us girls over. I know how Michelle feels about trying to find love.
I liked how even her mom wanted her to be dating Ryan. I personally would like Ryan to stay single forever or meet me and let my Disney fantasy romance commence, however I can some what tolerate Michelle and Ryan as a couple.
I don’t know why everybody acts as she is Heath’s widow. When he died, she had broken up with him for over a year and what about the rumor that she was planning a restraining order against him?
the dress looks nice.
But I hate her white hair. it’s starting to make her look like a 50 year old cancer patient.
Maybe she thinks the typical marriage model is a little broken because she keeps dating drug addicts. Hard to really understand adult relationships when you’re getting all wistful over the relationship with the dead addict who didn’t care enough about you or his kid to bother with rehab. Maybe try a nice lawyer or an accountant. Somebody who doesn’t spend their nights trying to score drugs with an Olsen twin.
@lio Yeah, I don’t get it either.
I thought they confirmed their spilt only months before his death. I also read that drugs played a role in the split and that she was hopeful that he would get clean and they would put their family back together. Either way, he is the father of her child and losing him must be hard in its own way.
Boo hoo. Why is she acting like she’s Heath’s widow? She reminds me of Priscilla Presley, parading around like she was still married to Elvis when he short circuited and died.
She’s a boring, one-note actress. Who cares?
if you’re commenting then you obviously do
Great legs & I actually like the interview, but I kind of don’t like you, non-conformist starlet girl.
“I didn’t work for a year.”
Quite a luxury, one that most widows don’t have. We’re supposed to feel sorry for this overpaid millionaire who, if you don’t already know, comes from family money too?
I’m grumpy today. Normally I wouldn’t snipe at this bowl of oatmeal. 🙂
I always got the impression that she really loved him, but he was heading down a bad path, so she left to protect herself and daughter, and to try to scare him into getting better. Sort of a last straw, ultimatum kind of thing.
I too think she answered these questions very well.
I typically don’t like her look, but that’s just her style, a little quirky and sort of retro.
She reminds me of a blonde, younger Sally Field in the first pic.
I don’t understand because in another interview she gave shortly after his death, she said she threw herself right back into her work in order to cope and that it proved therapeutic for her.
Now she is saying she had to be dragged back to work….
I like her style overall, and she’s warmed up her hair colour a bit – it’s not as harsh and white as it was before.
Agree with RobN.
Choices matter. And taking responsibility for the choices one makes is a hallmark of becoming an adult.
Sigh. Children raising children. Blaming blaming blaming, even fairy tales, for one’s own shortcomings.
Commenters are quite nasty today.
I think she really loved him, but not his lifestyle and was hoping for a reconciliation someday. As someone said, he was the father of her child that would leave a big gap…
BTW I love that first picture of her!! awesome legs!!
I agree @ 20
No one can measure what grief will feel like, and the emptiness it leaves, with everyday reminding you of why you want that person around.
So honestly, its really unfair to say she shouldn’t act like a wounded widow – until you lose someone close, even if they were broken up, they still shared a life and a daughter, and its crappy to look at her and realize she will never know her father, in any capacity.
@k, mte. these comments are disgusting.
I wish I wasn’t, but I’m a little suspicious that she was upset about “Nightline” revealing her thoughts about Keith Ledger’s death because she had somehow promised an exclusive to Marie Claire. I hate that kind of B.S. I think she should keep her thoughts about his death to herself because it was Michelle that (rightfully) left him because of his drug use, and she was dating someone else when he died, so she isn’t his widow, and it seems a little contrived to make such an issue of it now….I don’t know- I’m not walking in her shoes.
uh, am i the only one who thinks that 1st pic is very ‘girl interrupted’ like she’s wearing a straight jacket? 😮
michelle has always dressed very romantic since having a baby, I miss the quirky outfits.
The dress here is fits like crap
#24 see ur point, so true
I will be honest folks, just because my ex and I are divorced, does not mean that I dont have love for him. We are still close and he is the father of my child. It would seriously devestate me if he died. Truly. So, I get it with Michelle.
Besides, she just a cute little thing. She’s always so nice..
First, I think Michelle is a strong and talented woman who has been nothing but classy before and after Heath’s Death. But I kind of wish she would stop talking about it. It’s already starting to backfire on her. One of the reasons I respect her is that she has never talked about Heath or their relationship and split. Now all of a sudden it’s like she can’t stop talking about it. If she keeps it up I’m not going to be a fan of hers for much longer.
I don’t understand why women feel like they have to find a partner that “completes” them – it’s Hollywood (& Disney) that plays into this fantasy that a man should come along and make your life so wonderful. No wonder so many people’s marriages fail.
Granted, I haven’t been married long, but my husband didn’t come along and fill some void I had in my soul. I worked hard to have a solid career I was proud of & a good understanding of who I am, & our marriage is a partnership that’s mutually beneficial (which sounds more callous than it is, we support each other/help each other grow personally)
I’m not sure what Michelle thinks the “typical model” is for a marriage, but I think what she has in her head is pretty far off base. I think some of the other commenters are right, she needs to date someone normal, not another actor.
My God there are some hateful people commenting today.
1) Michelle & Heath were never married, although they did get at least 1 marriage certificate. It is true that they were not together at the time of his death, they were deeply in love. Michelle told him to come back when he’d gotten his head on right.
2) Heath was not an addict. Not before or at the time of his death. He died from a combination of an extremely compromised immune system due to an illness he caught while filming long hours for Dr. Parnasus in the cold & rain & from a combination of medications that were all prescribed to him.
3) She is talking about him because people are asking about him.
It is completely ridiculous to think that she should be “over” him in a proscribed amount of time. She is entitled to mourn as long as she wants. Get over it, people. Some of you are reading WAY too much into her remarks on the Disney princess & the idea that everyone has a “prince”. Michelle is a lovely woman & a terrific mother & actress. She i
I’m confused. She talks like they were still together when he died. They had been broken up for a while.
I agree, Mimi. The pendulum has swung the other way. Now she talks about him too much.
@filthy,
She was asked questions, she answered and it’s not like she wants us to feel sorry for her. She answered honestly and even if she did come from money, she seems self centered and I have not seen her parading around town like she did. Just because she makes money doesn’t mean she’s entitled to it. She just happens to be a working actress who broke through and can afford such a lifestyle.
she looks fab in the top pic. best ever.
@polkasox…but you’d miss him if he was gone right? right. god forbid!!!
imo she’s just missing heath right now for whatever reason. grief is such a weird & strange thing. it comes & goes & even years later can & will come back again.
so imma gonna cosign with bodhi’s talking points on this one.
Thanks! 🙂
Some of my comment got eaten, but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was!
Why does everyone blame Disney on relationship problems? I love fairy tales and grew up reading all the princess stories but have never had a problem looking for a perfect prince to complete me or something like that.
I’ve never seen her in anything, so I don’t know what kind of actress she is, but I don’t think she’s attractive.
Good interview. Nice to hear someone not talking garbage for a change.
I do think Heath was an addict, though. Having been there, done that, I congratulate her on leaving his arse, even if belatedly. They know all the tricks to get you to stay, believe me, particularly if they’re good at hiding their shit from everyone else.
Lawyers and accountants are addicts too, BTW. You never can tell.
she is beautiful and adorable and incredibly insightful! unlike a lot of people in Hollywood, i have respect for her and always love reading her interviews.
i want platinum blonde hair too but it doesnt work on my olive-toned skin 🙁
She has only just addressed her feelings about it now, which I think shows great maturity. The situation was not good prior to HL’s death, but it appeared that everyone was trying. Then he died, and that COULD have brought forward ugly remarks in the press by any number of people, but it did not. And I attribute that to the demeanor and maturity of Michelle. She is a very good actress, and appears also to be a thoughtful/eloquent person.
Judges & priests can be addicts too, but I really don’t think that Heath was one. But none of us really know, so it isn’t worth debating 🙂
@mia135 I think I know the interview you’re referring to and she gave that interview days before Heath died (the writer mentioned hearing about Heath’s death as s/he was writing the article). She was saying that she threw herself into work in order to get over the break-up which was less than a year before he died.
And as far as her model of marriage being broken it’s always possible that she’s referring to her own parents; I do believe they are divorced.
I have to admit the top picture is beautiful.
la_chica (#3)- My only issue with Michelle’s clothes is that the styles she chooses are too young, child-like in a way that doesn’t do her justice as a beautiful grown woman. I think Kaiser may be thinking that way as well.
KLO (#8)- But I hate her white hair. it’s starting to make her look like a 50 year old cancer patient.
Ouch. I dislike the white hair too..& mean no disrespect to you, but I think the ‘cancer patient‘ thing was in poor taste.
I agree with k@20, Jackie@22, & Bodhi@30.
She still lost someone she truly loved, & the father of her child.
I understand those who are tired of seeing interviews about it, as I know it can come across sounding as though she’s using his death for publicity, talking about it in order to stay in the news. I don’t personally think she is, but that’s me. But if you don’t like it, just don’t read it. No need to be nasty about it.
My father passed in a car accident when I was barely 2. He & my mom were highschool sweethearts, & waited 6yrs before having me. She completely shut down emotionally, shoving her feelings aside so she could get through. But it took her more than a year, almost 2, to start dealing with the grief. Everyone is different.
ugh she’s brilliant, humble and so well spoken. I love women who scream power…strength, an she’s def. one of them.
I’m not sure I get all the uppity ness over her “acting like his widow.” Frankly, his own family seems to consider her his widow, and of course she will be particularly affected by it, since she’s raising his daughter. There’s no way of knowing what their relationship was before he died, but she will be her daughter’s main source of information about the man he was. She has a right to miss him and wish he was still here.
She has the prettiest smile ever.
Just lovely, and what an actress.
I love Michelle Williams’ career and her style.
However, I wish she (or anyone else) would never again utter the phrase: “It is what it is.” It is the highest order of vapid tautology.
If it wasn’t Michelle saying it, I might add that “It is what it is” is a moron flag. In fact, for everyone but her, it is.
Seems to me that she has made a career out of Heath Ledger’s death. I guess that is meant to distract from the fact that she actually has no talent as an actress.
#48 Ally: to be contrary, I myself have had more tradegy than Michelle Williams, and I frequently use the phrase “it is what it is.” My little pet peeve is when people say “I have no regrets” which sounds equally “vapid” but it is still my own peeve.
We all got ’em, don’t we?
“I can inflict any kind of injury on myself, but with my daughter, that’s not an option.”
Word.
lio- I had to laugh out loud when I read your post….her have a straining order against him???!!!! Other way around mate!!!! How deluded you Michelle fanatics are.
Oh and Heath’s sister clearly said that Heath was never engaged to Michelle. Get over it.
….And here I was thinking Gemma Ward was his widow, and she’s finally speaking about him a bit.
Michelle can do Heath’s fans a favor and stop using his name in order to promote herself. Maybe if you are a b-tch you end up alone, which is 100% her case.