Charlize Theron: Why I Choose Roles That Challenge Me

Charlize Theron: A Journey of Strength and Versatility

In an exclusive interview with Lena Basse, a journalist from Los Angeles, Charlize Theron opens up about her career, motherhood, and personal life. The acclaimed actress shares her thoughts on playing unconventional roles, raising her two adopted children, and how even a comedy can change people’s perceptions.

The Fearless Actress

One of Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses, Charlize Theron, consistently proves that her talent extends far beyond her natural beauty. Unlike many actresses, she fearlessly takes on roles that require her to appear unattractive on screen.

While Charlize may not need to worry about her image, given her stunning appearances in Dior advertisements since 2004, she is not afraid to challenge herself. For instance, she wore a prosthetic belly with large stretch marks for her role in “Tully.” This is just one example of Charlize’s dedication to her craft and her willingness to push boundaries.

Sacrificing Beauty for Art

Charlize has sacrificed her appearance for her art on multiple occasions. Her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in “Monster” earned her an Academy Award in 2003. The role required her to undergo a dramatic transformation, proving that her talent goes beyond her looks.

A Life Marked by Tragedy and Triumph

At the age of 15, Charlize experienced a family tragedy that would leave a lasting impact on her life. During a family altercation, her mother shot and killed her alcoholic father, who was physically threatening both Charlize and her mother. The court ruled the action as self-defense.

Charlize kept the family tragedy private for many years, only speaking about it 25 years later. She began her career as a model, moving from her native South Africa to Europe and eventually the United States.

From Model to Actress

Interestingly, Charlize’s entry into acting was somewhat serendipitous. A Hollywood agent discovered her in a Los Angeles bank, where she was passionately arguing with a teller who refused to cash her check. However, luck alone does not make a Hollywood career. Charlize had to work on her accent, as her native language is Afrikaans, which she still speaks with her mother. She took on various roles, including that of a stripper and a seductive waitress, before landing a part in “The Devil’s Advocate,” which catapulted her acting career to new heights.

Motherhood and Career

One of the advantages of being an actress is the opportunity to “live” multiple lives. However, Charlize considers motherhood her greatest achievement. She adopted her son, Jackson, a South African boy of color, when he was just a few months old. Three years later, she adopted her daughter, August.

Charlize is a happy mother to her two children, who are now 7 and 4 years old. She admits that raising them alone, even while working, is not always easy. Additionally, she has been running her own production company for over 18 years, developing projects in which she stars.

An Interview with Charlize Theron

In an interview with “City of Women” magazine, Charlize Theron discusses her dreams as a 16-year-old, her criteria for choosing projects, and how she maintains her independence and frankness.

Choosing Challenging Roles

Charlize’s filmography is diverse, with each project vastly different from the last. She prefers roles that scare her, ones she has never done before and thinks she might not be able to pull off. She also considers the opportunity to work with talented directors and actors. Over the past decade, she has focused more on her instincts rather than public opinion. She wants her work to challenge and shake her up.

On “Long Shot”

The comedy “Long Shot” tells the story of a romantic relationship between a beautiful and intelligent woman running for President of the United States and an unremarkable journalist. Charlize plays the lead female role.

Charlize never thought she could do a romantic comedy. The film brought her many fun moments, but it also scared her. When asked about her character’s presidential ambitions, Charlize laughs and says that while the film touches on politics, real politics is no laughing matter. If she were to enter politics, she would strive not to overdo it with compromises.

Dreams of a 16-Year-Old

Charlize recalls that, like her character in “Long Shot,” there is a video of her at 16 years old. In a 1991 interview with an Italian publication, she expressed her dream of becoming an actress. At the time, she never thought it was possible. Now, she loves her job and wakes up every morning feeling like she doesn’t have a job because she enjoys it so much. She tells her children every day to find what they love to do, as that is the key to happiness.

Life as a Mother

Charlize’s life changed when she became a mother to her two adopted children. She felt a strong desire to give and be a mother. Her life became more settled, and she found happiness in raising her children. As they grew older and more independent, she had more time to think about what she wanted for herself.

She is not the type to rush into marriage after a first date. She prefers to take things slow and see where they go. She believes in building friendships first and seeing where things lead.

Maintaining Independence

Charlize is known for her frankness and independence, both as a woman and an actress. She attributes this to her upbringing and her desire to live her own life, not someone else’s.

For more information about Charlize Theron, you can visit her IMDb page.