Kristen Stewart is about to head to Cannes to premiere Café Society (the Woody Allen film) and Personal Shopper, her second film with Olivier Assayas after her award-winning turn in Clouds of Sils Maria. As advanced promotion, Kristen covers the June issue of Marie Claire France and Le Monde’s weekend magazine. I’m also including photos of Kristen this week at Jodie Foster’s Walk of Fame ceremony – I sort of love that Jodie and Kristen consistently show up for one another. They really bonded in Panic Room. Anyway, I finally found a decent translation of Kristen’s Marie Claire interview, and there’s some interesting stuff in there. Some highlights:
Working with Woody Allen: “The idea of filming with Woody Allen was intimidating. During the auditions, I really doubted my legitimacy. By the end of it, I was really happy, I felt anchored, rooted. He’s profoundly smart, his different way of grasping things… He manages to add depth to moments of pure comedy; this strange lightness is very impressive. I was lucky.”
What she hates most about fame: “To waste my time talking about it (laughing). It’s always…just like now. We’ve been on the phone for 8 minutes, and we’ve only talked about it. There’s not much to say about it, and no one wants to hear you whine about your job, especially when so many people aspire to become actors.”
She was a boyish child: “Honestly, dude, when I was little…. I know there’s nothing more annoying that when actresses or people that are considered attractive say stupid stuff like: “I was so ugly” but let me tell you – I was just like my brother until I turned 14. Terribly worried because of it, really weird, totally lanky, clumsy, people used to confuse me for a boy constantly. The first time someone had to put a mic on me, the sound engineer put some tape on my chest – now don’t make a big deal about it – I was 10 years old. He was pressing hard and he said: “Hey you’re a strong kid, what’s up boy?” And I sat there and replied in a small voice: “Hmmm, no. Stop.” And it was like that every single time. At some point, I liked being treated the way that I was. But do I love myself? That’s a funny question. I’m happy, I have a lot of luck, I’m healthy and I’m aware of it all.
Cutting off her long hair: “I love having long hair, but I feel good with short hair, as if I wasn’t hiding behind a veil anymore. It’s a new version of me….Everyone loves long hair. As a result: everyone looks the same. Our generation is creating a new way of being ourselves, detached from those outdated norms that dictate what is rewarding and what everyone should look like. So many girls would be devastated, horrified if they had their hair cut: “Oh my God, I’m not pretty anymore!” But yes! You are! It’s really changing quickly, by the way, the acceptation of this ambiguous nature. More and more, people are seen as individuals. It’s great and it’s pretty easy when you think about it. People that aren’t allowing themselves to look like who they’d really want to be, because they’re afraid of what people might thing – they make me sad. It’s sh-tty, just horrible.
What she thinks about the men making the decisions in Hollywood: “Nothing, except: “Keep making good films, we’re trying to do the same thing!” I’m really aware of how lucky I am, of the number of opportunities in the palm of my hands. For me, being a woman in the film industry isn’t very stressful, even if, it’s true; roles for us are not as big in numbers. I can’t ignore that there’s a real fight on this issue but, to be honest, I don’t really have that in mind at the moment, I’m working a lot, it’s working well and I’m really happy about it.”Whether she would fight for wage equality like Jennifer Lawrence: “No. Right now, I’m working on small indie films, and it’s like a small family, we’re all on the same level.”
[From Marie Claire France via Tumblr]
I feel her on the long hair thing – I love having long hair, just because it’s how I feel most comfortable. Looking back on my college years, when I had shorter hair (shoulder length or shorter), I enjoyed that feeling of freedom, even if that particular style wasn’t particularly flattering. Kristen should (and does) rock whatever feels comfortable for her. As for Kristen not engaging in the social or sexual politics of Hollywood… not everyone has to. I respect Jennifer Lawrence and other women for what they’re doing and saying about those subjects, but it shouldn’t be expected of every actress to fight the fight. That being said, I do think Kristen is glossing over some difficulties she’s had, like when she had an affair with a married director and then didn’t work for the better part of two years.
PS… Us Weekly is now confirming that Kristen and Soko are over. Oh, Soko. I’m sorry, but it was never going to work long-term. You were just too demonstrative.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Sigh, she is a dull little thing isn’t she?
She’s right.
Talking is the worst because she has nothing valuable to say.
Well that isn’t true. Every time she does an interview it’s discussed on here. People sure are interested in what she has to say
I have to disagree, and I am usually one of the first haters to join the line.
I think this interview was interesting to read, because she didn’t veer into the PC responses. She told it as it is for her, and for once she didn’t sound an ungrateful whiner.
I am judging her on her working with Allen, but I respect that she actually gave some decent answers.
So basically she’s saying that she knows there’s a problem but because she doesn’t perceive it as being something that affects her she’s not really worried about it.
That’s kind of how I read her statement too.
Yup
pretty much
Pretty much. Sigh. I usually go to bat for Kristen but she makes it so hard.
It’s easy for her to say at age 25. Let’s see what she thinks in 10-15 years.
(OH I just read down thread and someone has already said this – oops!)
She has talked about the inequality before, about how her , male co-stars really do not care that women get paid less. She has discussed it, she just hasn’t decided to be the spokesperson for inequality. If she did, people would just insult her anyway. She wants to get into directing and writing, so she will likely do her part in including more women.
She has also worked with projects that encourage women in film like the Twilight short stories.
But whatever, continue as you were
I will say, I am usually annoyed when beautiful people lament about how ugly they were as a child, but…. she was very boyish in the Panic Room. I remember this because it struck a cord with me as a girl on the precipice of puberty who was also lanky and boyish (KStew and I are the same age and I had the same shoulder length blunt haircut that she had in the Panic Room). I didn’t have the delicate, feminine features that my younger sister and that “pretty” girls had and I remember being happy that there was a girl that I could relate to in a movie (Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird was another one!). And, like she said, sometimes I miss the ambiguity of my boyish youth… Sometimes I was referred to as the “not hot one,” but in general it seemed like there were less expectations that I should be feminine or something or maybe just that it was “okay” that I was a tomboy. I’m not sure if it was because I was young or because I embraced it and therefore other people were “okay” with it, but I feel like nowadays when I sometimes dress less frilly and flowery people will comment on it. Maybe the expectation to be feminine increases proportionately to your age, I don’t know. I really went off on a tangent there, whew.
Let’s ask her this question when she’s 40 and see if her answer is the same.
I thought that same thing!
Right. Except the press will be too busy covering the latest Ingenue to bother with KStew (who by then will be living in Paris full time, smoking like a chimney, and doing walk on roles in Polanski films).
haha Kstew will be just fine. She doesn’t coast on her looks, has no interest in rom coms and she’s specializing in European art movies and she’ll always get work in America.
@Yvette
Kristen, are you? You’re responding to every post Lol
I am not, but even if i was – where is the law that says i cannot?
Come talk to me when you are a mod, until then – buh bye!
” That being said, I do think Kristen is glossing over some difficulties she’s had, like when she had an affair with a married director and then didn’t work for the better part of two years.”
I think she probably didn’t work for two years because people saw the Twilight movies. She probably needed some time to re-group like Natalie Portman had to after the Star Wars stuff.
@perplexed
Is more than JLaw is arrived and has all the roles
True, there’s that too.
I genuinely like Kristen as a person and she cleans up so well in her fashion gigs and she has come a LONG LONG LONG way in her interviews, but I still think she needs to expand herself when it comes to acting. It’s like she’s playing the same role over and over. I just watched Still Alice and had high hopes but again – same thing. :/
I would love to see her playing a character in which she disappears completely. And not necessarily because she makes a drastic physic transformation.
The key Twilight actors were very well paid for the last movies, with profit participation along with a big paycheck. She can take a job, not take a job. I think she is beautiful. She reminds of the girls my mom didn’t want me to hang with in high school.
I think she acknowledged that people were sick of her too, so she laid low
I like Kristen … Beautiful young girl
Lol
Ahhh…someone who’s not complaining about how hard it is to be a successful actress in Hollywood
@meme
she complains a lot. Did you remember when she said that the red carpet is like a rape?
Now she isn’t so famous (there are many young actresses that are bigger than her)
that’s because she was constantly asked about it, Lucia. She wasn’t bringing it up herself.
The intense spotlight has eased a little, but she is still very famous. Thus why she is being discussed here regularly
She’s always so dull. Awful
Couldn’t possibly comment on anything gender or equality related, but has no problem gushing about Woody Allen’s genius as an *artiste*? Am I reading that right? Hoooo- kay….
(I feel like she’s said some smart things about feminism in the past, and some dumb things about a variety of topics, so this isn’t out and out bashing even though I don’t care for her acting)
Besides the comments about women in the film industry, this was actually a decent interview. Judging from her past comments (on this issue and otherwise), she likely doesn’t care about women’s struggles in the film industry as long as it doesn’t affect her personally. But part of me thinks that she’s trying to sound all happy! and grateful! to counter the criticisms of her sounding miserable all the time (this is not a defense of her comments, btw).
I love her look on the cover. Just wish she could inject a bit more life into her eyes in photos.
She worked on a Woody Allen movie, so she goes on my boycott-list. And that’s just one of the problematic things in this interview.
That’s a long list! CaTE Blanchet, ScarJo, Emma Stone, Ellen Page, Kstew, Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, that’s just the actresses… what about the people who say they would do anything to star in an Allen movie? Just recently read Bill Hader say it… they’re boycotted too?
I’s love to know how many people who make these grand statements actually stick to it. I’s willing to say very few!
Yes, I’m actually sticking to it so far, it’s been a year and a half. Thank goodness Emma Stone actually stopped making good films.
She looks terrible on that cover. Yikes.
Imo I loved her tomboy look but I too thought she was a really cute girl or boy. Like the boy from the movie Parenthood with Martha Plimpton, you didn’t know but they were cute either way.
Personally, kstew always gives the sense she’s disconnected from all realities. No other kid actor needs a break more than her. Grasp reality and real life. Woody isn’t reality nor is opting to be quiet bc if doesn’t impact current life.
There’s no authenticity in saying HAIR and androgynous appearance is progressive but pay equality and roles aren worth your comment to move forward. Does anyone else see how ridiculous that sounds. Young people be smarter than that. Someone awhile back fought for your appearance to be judged on independence for kstews benefit but she’s not willing to give in the same measure is her point.
As for Kstew break… Kaiser nailed it. Kristen had several films ready to start post twilight, and canceled all because of her affair with swath director. Kstew fought, with her fans help to find her footing again BUT washes over that time. She was persona non grata and still is to a degree. And not because of a affair (which i think was blown out of proportion) but because it’s been several years and even all twilight she’s not outgrown that limited and narrow maturity. Not learned a thing. Sadly. I give her another 10-15yrs.
I think she was wise to move to indie. I’m not sure she really has the presence to command on screen in major Hollywood films, and frankly, the roles for women are a lot more interesting because there’s less Hollywood money at stake.
There’s always a little something that rubs me wrong about her, though, and I’m never quite able to put my finger on just what it is. She’s definitely coming across as more mature and thoughtful these days, though. Her earlier interviews were a lot more cringe-worthy and vapid sounding.