Michelle William’s last interview before ex-boyfriend Heath Ledger’s death has just been published in Wonderland, a British magazine. Michelle talks briefly about her split from Ledger, and some of the advantages that came with it – notably less attention from the paparazzi, which was always a big issue for the couple. She also talks about her relationship with their two-year-old daughter Matilda. Michelle had just finished working on a film called “Incendiary” with Ewan McGregor in which she plays a woman who loses her husband in a terrorist attack. It’s very sad to hear her talking about how hard it was just to film something so emotional, knowing she’s actually living it right now.

On Splitting with Heath Ledger:
“When you’re in a relationship with somebody who is also a public personality then it doubles the attention from the media. When you minus that equation it’s just less enticing. That’s been a real bonus. It’s the plus side of the break-up for me. It was so pervading, it got bad there for a while. Every time I walk out of the door I still worry. That’s what is so silly about it: even if the paparazzi aren’t there, you wonder if they are. I’m not good at that stuff. I need to get better at it. It really used to affect me.”

[From Us Weekly]

Michelle and Heath seemed to dislike the paparazzi more than any celebrity couple I can recollect. There’s an infamous picture of the two in bathing suits, flipping off the camera with Heath holding a sign that says “Fuck Off.” They managed to live a pretty low-key existence in Brooklyn, everything considered. By most accounts everyone knew who they were, but were pretty respectful of the couple’s privacy.

Michelle’s been living as a single mother since she and Heath broke up in the fall, but now she no longer has a co-parent and is truly on her own in that sense. She talked about the physical and emotional struggle of filming a demanding movie like “Incendiary” and trying to still be a good mother to Matilda at the same time.

On Balancing Work and Motherhood:
“It’s not easy. Last April I was over in London doing a movie called Incendiary with Ewan McGregor. It’s about a woman grieving after losing her husband and son in a terrorist attack. It was a brutal role and arduous: six-day weeks, 14 hour-days. I was like the walking dead towards the end. Matilda would visit me everyday on-set for lunch and I’d race home to put her to bed. My only days off were Sundays and as much as I’d want to pass out, I’d try to take her out somewhere fun so she didn’t associate me with boredom. The only time that is really my own these days is after I’ve put her to bed and until I go to bed. That’s about two hours.”

[From Us Weekly]

Later on in the interview, Michelle brings up a really good question: why did she choose her line of work, considering she’s such an introvert? Michelle started acting at only 16 and says she never thought it would make her life so public. She seems to definitely be a real introvert, noting, “I have such problems with people looking at me.” She admits that acting is a strange choice of professions, considering the fame it brings. Unfortunately there’s probably no time in her life where she’s wanted less attention given to her, and no time where people have focused on her so much. Hopefully that’ll die down in the coming months and she can figure out a way to live the rest of her life happily.