Big Little Lies’ Zoë Kravitz talks about working with Hollywood A-listers, juggling her acting and singing careers, and her famous parents
Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet’s daughter says she ‘never wanted to be famous and doing this job, you really don’t have to be if you don’t want to’
Zoë Kravitz turns 31 today. We speak to the American actress and singer about her career, her famous parents, and working with Hollywood’s A-list celebrities.
1. Having a famous name isn’t everything
Sometimes it was tough when I was growing up. At school there would be kids who would think that I thought I was someone cool and special because of my parents [Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet]. Some kids would just want to hang out with me because of who my parents were. I never spoke about my parents at school, and all I wanted to do was to fit in and be as normal as possible. But I had some good friends, too.
I never wanted to be famous and doing this job, you really don’t have to be if you don’t want to. I definitely learned that from my parents. You hear some people in the industry talking, saying how it’s unavoidable, but that is not true. If you want to avoid fame, you can. It has a lot to do with the choices you make.
[Fame did] make it easier to get auditions and I was able to get an agent right away, but no one gives you a part because of who your parents are. You still have to prove that you can do the job, and often there will be people who are hostile and resentful simply because they think you have it so easy in life.
2. Her parents have been helpful and supportive
[As parents], they were for the most part, pretty conventional. They never lived like famous people, they’re both pretty private, so I wasn’t so aware of it. I mean, I knew it obviously, but it wasn’t a ruling factor. They’re amazing people, supportive of everything I do, always backed me up. They’ve always been there for me and always will.
I never felt that I was competing against my parents or that I had to match what they have achieved in their careers. They were careful to teach me to be my own person, and that everyone has their own road to take in life.
I also love the fact that neither of my parents live like celebrities. They’re both very protective of their privacy – especially my mother.
They never wanted me to feel like I was growing up in some celebrity household and they wanted to give me as normal a life as they could. I’m just trying to enjoy my time working in movies and working on my music and not worrying about how big a success I’m going to be. The only thing that really matters is how you feel about your life, and whether you’re able to be creative and make your journey as interesting as possible.