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Home / Entertainment

Charlize Theron: 'I don't like drama'

By Michele Manelis
Weekend magazine·
4 May, 2018 05:00 PM4 mins to read

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'I have always been a very happy-go-lucky person.'

'I have always been a very happy-go-lucky person.'

Your character in Gringo is unapologetic and unfiltered. What do you think of what's going on in Hollywood with the #Metoo and #TimesUp movements?

I think it's quite an incredible moment right now. I think it's one that we've been longing for in its endurance. I think a lot of women who have worked the same amount of years that I have, have seen little movements pop their heads up for three or four months and then go away. And I think this not only being a story that people are continuously talking about but also a story that is growing, that avalanche is something that we are very happy about as women. I think for us the biggest thing is to not have this go away.

Your character uses her sexuality to get her way. What's your take on that manipulation?

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I think it's just part of the human condition. I think it's in our arsenal and I think some women abuse it and I think some women don't. I think women find more interesting, articulate ways to get across what they need to do. I don't necessarily judge it one way or the other.

People have made a big deal of Paris Jackson being cast. You're co-producing the movie so you must have had a say. What was she like?

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Paris was great. Originally the part was written for a young male, and she came in and she auditioned for it. She won the part fair and square. We didn't just hand it to her because she was Michael Jackson's kid. She was willing to work hard and show up. She was lovely and the cast really loved her. We were all like, "Wow, we didn't even know that you wanted to be an actor." But I think she really is taking it seriously.

How has your collaboration with Dior affected your life?

Well, I am now in a very spoiled position where they send me lovely things. I happen to be part of the family of a house that I actually really respect and admire and am actually a big fan of.

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Charlize Theron with Joel Edgerton in Gringo.
Charlize Theron with Joel Edgerton in Gringo.

How do you look back on the early part of your career when you first came to the US?

Sometimes I watch interviews of myself when I was in my early 20s and I was just like "God girl! Give it a break! Just chill out, it's okay!" I had just such an attitude that I had to prove to everybody that they couldn't f*** with me. I have empathy for it because I think a lot of young girls feel like they have to overdo it to prove themselves and to also prove to the room, "Don't step over me. If you are not going to believe in me, I am going to show that I believe in myself."

You have two kids - a boy and girl. Do they get along?

My kids are two very, very different individuals. And obviously they are being raised in the same house with the same rules and they just handle it very differently. One is a little bit more sensitive and the other one is a wrestler. I try to look at them as individuals.

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How do you find motherhood?

It's really a journey for me. I listen a lot and I try to hear what they tell me about who they are and try to nurture that for them. I haven't had a nanny in two months, and yeah, I want to f***ing kill myself. But I am very lucky to have a mother who lives up the road and absolutely loves being a grandma. It's been a real busy time for me to try and do it all. I think with all mothers and fathers the hardest thing is finding balance and I am no different to any other parent. You take it one day at a time.

You used to do only dramatic movies but lately you seem to be in a few comedies. Is that indicative of where you are at this time in your life?

I have always been a very happy-go-lucky person. I don't like drama. I like having a good glass of wine and laughing. That's just how I was raised. I value every day to try to get as much joy out of it.

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