Cate Blanchett ‘having it all’ as a woman: “No one, male or female, can ‘have it all’”

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Here’s a preview of the January cover of Vogue Mag – Cate Blanchett in Celine. Eh. I mean, she’s flawless and you could put her in a burlap sack and she would be enchanting, but this cover image just seems like a let-down for Cate. It’s Vogue and it’s Blanchett! Go out on a limb and put her in something from the Alexander McQueen archives or something. Give her a hat. Sex her up. Something!

Cate also covers the January issue of Elle Canada, and that photoshoot is a lot better, at least from what I can see. The cover is sexy and dark and there’s leather. Good. You can read the full Elle Q&A here, and here are some highlights:

Elle: What is your everyday life like?
“My daily life is a movable feast. But, generally speaking, I find retreating into domestic life incredibly calming. I like the simplicity of what some people might find mundane: school lunches, cooking, walking the dog. I have ceased running the Sydney Theatre Company [her husband, Andrew Upton, is now the sole artistic director], so it’s wonderful to do just one thing at a time.”

Is it hard for you to find interesting roles?
“I’ve been very lucky to play iconic roles like Blanche DuBois, Lotte Kotte and Hedda Gabler onstage, but cinema is a different beast. You are not always able to influence the final results in the same way as you can in the theatre. So I’m not always interested in large roles onscreen. I’m more interested in making the space to keep experimenting as an actor. What’s important when you’re working on a film is that you want to work with a director who is going to collaborate with you or who is interested in what you can offer.”

What drew you to the character of Jasmine in Woody’s Blue Jasmine?
“Post-financial crisis, so many men and women have had their worlds shattered and they have fallen from grace. And, like Jasmine, they have had to look at themselves directly in the mirror and reinvent themselves and find out who they are without their social standing, without economic security. I think this story is very current. The unique thing about Jasmine, however, is that she has been a fantasist and has never had a firm grip on who she is or on reality.”

What do you find in theatre that you don’t in cinema?
“In theatre, you are directly engaged with your audience. You know whether a performance has connected with them or not, as you can feel their concentration ebbing and flowing, and that immediately influences the performances. In cinema, the only reference you have is the numbers. Success at the box office can be misleading, artistically speaking. Just because people show up, initially, doesn’t mean they necessarily leave the cinema having been thrilled by what they’ve experienced. You just don’t know how it’s played.”

How do you find the balance between work and family life?
“Like for any working parents, it’s a juggle. The wheels fall off frequently! But I think with children and career, you have to fully appreciate what you have: You can’t always achieve everything and do everything in the way you’d hoped because you’re pulled in a lot of opposing directions. I’m incredibly lucky to have a supportive, engaged partner.”

Can a woman “have it all”?
“No one, male or female, can ‘have it all.’ There just isn’t enough time. I think the concept puts an incredible pressure on people.”

You have three sons. Do you raise them differently?
“You mean differently to girls? Their gender is one thing, but their personalities are another thing entirely. I try to engage with who they are first and foremost, but, generally, we hope to raise them with a sense of humanity, compassion and giving back. It’s a very introspective, self-involved world in which we all live.

Are you very fashion conscious?
“I love new ideas and the restless rhythm of fashion, but I’m by no means ruled by it. My style has evolved over time, but, in the end, I think it’s probably still that same love of great tailoring. That’s why I also love Armani’s creations so much.”

Can you remember your first fashion splurge?
“My first big purchase goes back to when I was a teenager and I was coveting all those exquisitely tailored men’s suits. When I emerged from drama school with my very first paycheque, I bought an Armani suit, which I still have—and still wear! Because I think where I relate to Armani, the Armani universe really, is the timelessness of it. It’s simultaneously modern and effortless but also timeless and classic and eminently chic. I feel like I’ve always aspired to the grace, simplicity and timelessness that his designs embody.”

Do you enjoy being “Cate Blanchett” or is it something of a poisoned chalice for you?
“I’m ‘CB’ most of the time, or ‘Sweetheart’ or ‘Cate’ or ‘Mom.’ I guess I’m only ‘Cate Blanchett’ in a public remote sense or when I have to sign something official. Fame can be a fairly limiting, hollow achievement unless it’s backed up by ability and substance.”

[From Elle Canada]

First of all, I had no idea she went by “CB”. Is that a sign that Cate Blanchett belongs here at Celebitchy? Perhaps. I’ve always thought of her as, like, “Queen Cate” or “La Blanchett” or “Great Cate”. But I’ll totally call her CB.

Secondly, I love “No one, male or female, can ‘have it all.’” I like that she’s not only acknowledging how impossible it is for women, but she’s painting men with the same brush too. It’s impossible to have it all. Full stop. That includes men and women.

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Photos courtesy of VOGUE and Elle Canada.

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57 Responses to “Cate Blanchett ‘having it all’ as a woman: “No one, male or female, can ‘have it all’””

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  1. pfeiffer87 says:

    Her face on that elle cover is perfection.

    • ParisPucker says:

      just adore her. she OWNS it. spectacular actress, spectacular beauty. and i never use the word ‘spectacular’…

  2. Andrea says:

    One of my favorite people. Now and forever. She’s always been more interested in being an actress than a celebrity and I love her for it.

  3. Kaye says:

    Cheekbones. That is all.

  4. Applapoom says:

    Her face structure is amazing. She is going to age so well, is aging so well.

  5. Sarah says:

    good that she says it because that whole concept is sick. i dont know how people could sell that idea that doesnt make any sense at all and is not possible for humans. its also pretty greedy to want it all and to think that you are entitled to it.

    if men always worked 8 hours everyday and 8 hours in the household while being 100% happy then you could also expect it from women but guess what that never happened. how could people think that men being biological fathers and rarely being at home is the same as what people expect from women? instead of making men work less and women more the society pushed both men and women to work more…

    to be honest i rarely have heard this concept outside of america. in england and germany which i know closer its more like “if you strive to have everything you will lose everything” or when something doesnt work out, shrugging your shoulders “you cant have it all”.

    basic logic dictates that its not possible. so how did it start that people were held accountable for something impossible. every person that has a huge career and a family has a partner thats sacrificed his/her career, you will find a lot of stay at home dads with very succesful women. its not possible otherwise. thats why i dont get the shaming of housewives or housemen. especially from career women, guess what girls, if you want to have a big career and family you will have to find such a man. (and respect him for earning less which is still a big problem with most women)

    • Heather says:

      Love this^^.

    • Tulip Garden says:

      Agree 100%. I will add that for many “having it all” never included a career anyway. It was about having a j-o-b. For the vast majority of people, two people work to put food on the table. That’s not glamorous, it’s very difficult and you hardly ever hear it acknowledged by film stars but, of course, they probably can’t relate. I guess I’m saying that these people are incredibly lucky to be able to try and balance “having it all” against people trying to balance while “doing it all”. I do think her acknowledgement that it’s a fallacy for her, and everyone else, is lovely.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Oh Tulip, I posted and the saw your post. We do need to stop twittering similar things. Lol. Must be that recent fertiliser…

        😉

      • Tulip Garden says:

        I love our similar postings 🙂 Have to say that fertilizer agrees with you my dear your looking positively…blooming *blushes*, had to say it, you may all groan now!

      • LadySlippers says:

        Oh Tulip *bashfully blushes* I’m speechless. And let’s not forget that you came from stunning and fantastic bulbs. A great foundation is always a winner.

        Hey — FYI, still want some blog references? How can we communicate w/o putting contact info out there for the world? Any ideas?

      • Tulip Garden says:

        LadySlippers, I do so want blog references! I am so glad you asked about a outside CB hook-up (sounds nefarious) 🙂 I would love to communicate without putting our info out there but I have no idea how. Let’s both give it some thought and, maybe, some of the other fine posters will come to our rescue.

        *all said while preening and trying to steal fertilizer from my fellow flowers*

      • LadySlippers says:

        An outside ‘the garden’ rendezvous. Tres risqué!

        😉

        I do know there’s chat sites. And I am on tumblr but don’t want anymore hate (I pissed someone off over a year ago and now this person literally has a vendetta against me. And pulls others in. Very typical of tumblr).

        And keep your leaves to yourself! *wags leaf at Tulip*

    • LadySlippers says:

      In the US, I do think people still believe they can have it all. People started saying it so (my guess) women felt less guilty if they needed/wanted to work. I agree, everyone needs to prioritise and no one can really ‘have it all’ without help or without something falling to the wayside.

    • Francesca says:

      Opt out of the idea. It’s a trap. I refused to ruin my sanity by trying to do it all – at once. But over the course of my life I fully intend to have done it all!

      • paranormalgirl says:

        Exactly. I’ve pretty much had it all (all that I want, at least)… just not at the same time in my life. Having one thing at one time prepared me for having the next thing at the next time, if that makes any sense.

    • Emily C. says:

      In the U.S., there’s this idea that you can “have it all” (whatever that means), and that if you do not, you are a total failure. Especially if you’re a woman, though men get it too. You are supposed to have a spouse and children and a house with a mortgage and a good career that allows you to save up plenty for retirement, and never be dependent on anyone. No excuses. Many people will even blatantly say that if you cannot do this, you are not worthy to live. Seriously, I have been told that because I can’t work because of my disability, I should die.

      • Tulip Garden says:

        EmilyC, just in case you check back I wanted to tell you that whatever jackass said that to you obviously is the one with real problems! I would say just ignore them but I know that is easier said than done so instead I will just say continue to persevere. Btw, I am sorry that someone hurt you like that, I hope for you sake that you can let it go. In short, screw ,em😏

  6. elo says:

    That Elle cover is to die for, I think she is one of the most beautiful women ever.

  7. Florc says:

    Love her interviews! She never sticks her foot in her mouth and always answers well. Her skin is perfect. Her style is incredible. I just can’t think of a flaw…

  8. whipmyhair says:

    If Cate wants to try raising a girl, I totally volunteer as tribute. I’m low maintenance; all I need is a monthly lunch to catch up and whatnot. And I’m passed the teenage drama years, no slamming doors or “I wish I was never born! “

  9. AG-UK says:

    She is stunning. I was just watching LOTR and thought my god she looks the same as 2003 her face is one of those you can’t help but watch on screen. LOVE her…

  10. allons-y alonso says:

    perfection thy name is Cate Blanchett

  11. Hubbahun says:

    How are we defining ‘all’? Surely that’s an aspiration unique to everyone. Cate seems to have a fantastic career and loving family – that’s a lot in my opinion. (I am in no way attacking Cate, by the way, :D). For each of us, what makes us feel like we have it ‘all’ must be different.

  12. MrsBPitt says:

    I can’t remember anyone, ever having said that they have it all…and if they did, the were full of it! Love, love, love CB!

  13. dcypher1 says:

    So stunning, classy, and sophisticated, and intelligent. That is why Cate is my idol. She always gives a good interview.

    • TG says:

      I agree 100%. I also think she gives such great interviews because there is actually some substance to her. I think some celebs, and we know who they are, try to come off sounding intelligent and well-spoken but they are just hollow shells, in which nothing exists beyond their vapid image.

  14. Dani2 says:

    Good god she looks so inhumanly perfect, I know photoshop usually has a part to play in these magazine covers but Cate has got to be one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen.

  15. Julia says:

    Queen CB, long may she reign.

  16. paola says:

    Is it me or on that Elle cover it looks like, due to lighting, her head is glued on a very tiny body?
    I love CB, she is the quientessence of timeless class and I totally agree with her about Armani and his suits. They’re perfect for each other.

  17. Kiddo says:

    I’m loving her messy Courtney Love hair on the Elle cover.

  18. blue marie says:

    The photos are relatively boring but I still like them and I really like her.. And that’s all I got.

  19. Tatiana says:

    She always comes across really well in interviews, like she knows what to say but doesn’t not try too hard to please everyone. She just is.
    But anyaway, this woman is just too beautiful to be true. I mean her face is so different yet so stunning in it’s own unique way. And she wears clothes like no one else, with such grace and elegance.

  20. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I love her but I wish she wouldn’t work with Woody Allen. He turns my stomach.

  21. Jayna says:

    A lot of men don’t realize they didn’t have it all until their children are graduating from high school and they realize their focus on career and climbing the corporate ladder came at the expense of relationships and time flew by before they knew it and have deep regrets.

  22. Evi says:

    Wow, that Elle cover is so airbrushed, it’s unbelievable.
    I’ll never forget when I came across an interview with her a few years ago in my local [Sydney] Sunday paper magazine liftout. It seemed as though they forgot to airbrush it, because her skin was so sun damaged, it was completely obvious. The images -in their non airbrushed state- were worse than the non-photoshopped images/goof of Madonna’s [that mag spread of her in a white outfit] a few years ago.
    At least Cate can have Photoshop now.

  23. smee says:

    ITA – while I like the dress she’s wearing on the Vogue cover (AND the bracelet), it’s sort of mundane. Should be something a little special for the cover.

    My MAIN complaint is that they’ve brightened these images until her skin is almost white and is completely with out “topography” – no pores, no creases, etc. I hate it. The ELLE cover in particular is way over-photoshopped. So unnecessary!

  24. MelissaMelissa says:

    Cate Blanchett is my kind of actress. Someone who is poised, demure, yet sexy, and confident. She’s found an incredible balance while many others are still trying to decide how to present themselves in interviews or when doing any sort of publicity.

    She’s just….graceful. She avoids the tabloids, there are no shady rumors about her personal life, you rarely see her children. She puts the art right back in “artist”. She does her work, gets paid for it, then lives quietly yet you still know she’s there, you still know she exists and cannot get enough of her. She’s grateful too, beautiful and most importantly, she’s not overexposed.

    • M says:

      Agreed, very well said. I always love reading her interviews….so intelligent. She never tries hard to impress, she just seems to be herself. I agree she isn’t into the celebrity life. She does her job and then goes back to her family.

      I also really love what she said about the difference for her between theatre and cinema.

  25. Charlotte says:

    This is one of the best covers that Vogue has had for a while. I like the cover very much. It’s not over tthe top, it’s just an elegant, beautiful, talented woman looking like herself. I can totally see her wearing that Celine dress in real life, too. The simplicity of it is refreshing, to me.

  26. Nerd Alert says:

    Having it all sounds too stressful for me. I’ll take the husband and the job, leave the kids.

  27. Lucy says:

    She’s perfect. That’s all.

  28. MargueriteofValois says:

    Gorgeous cover and photo spread, but most important what a refreshing interview.

  29. mkyarwood says:

    Hahaha, giv’r a hat why don’t you!?

  30. Camille (TheOriginal) says:

    Great interview.

  31. Emily C. says:

    She’s perfect. I love how she’s able to subtly tell the interviewer that their questions are stupid in such an elegant way.

  32. jj says:

    I am hoping for Judi Dench to win the Oscar. She is the most talented among the potential nominees. I don’t get the hype about Cate B. She is an OK actor but she got nothing on Dame Judi. They did a movie together called Notes of a Scandal and she was terrible in it, completely unbelievable.

    • Mare says:

      I so disagree. She is a spectacular actress and she was wonderful in Notes on a Scandal. As was Judi Dench.

  33. Ginger says:

    Ahhhh…she is so elegant. I just love her!

  34. Jay says:

    My favourite cover of hers will always be the completely un-shopped, makeup-free closeup she did for a magazine one time. You could see every single wrinkle and blemish and she was STILL one of the most stunning women I’ve seen, for her age or any other. She has a truly striking, memorable face that will continue to be compelling no matter how she ages.

  35. Wren says:

    As a fellow Aussie woman I LOVE her! Is it annoyingly pedantic to say really her boys would call her “Mum” not “Mom”, or has it just been interpreted for the US audience in the article?

  36. Blackbetty says:

    Doesnt anyone else find this hugely condescending, coming from someone who “does have it all”?!