Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet inspired Amanda Seyfried to act – 20 years later, the Mamma Mia! and Ted 2 star reflects on her anxiety, motherhood, mindfulness and crocheting – interview
As a child, the Hollywood actress was inspired by musicals like Cats and Les Misérables – now, when she isn’t juggling acting projects, she’s getting into charity work with husband Thomas Sadoski or crocheting on her farm in upstate New York
Amanda Seyfried, star of films including the Mamma Mia! series and Ted 2, just turned 35 on December 3. Here the Pennsylvania-born actress reveals her struggles with anxiety and how acting – and now motherhood – have helped her heal.
I think every young girl dreams of being Juliet. Thank God for that movie [Romeo + Juliet] or honestly, I wouldn’t be here
She dreamed of becoming an actress from a young age
“I fell in love with the theatre when I was growing up in Allentown [in Pennsylvania] because there was a bus that took us straight into Manhattan. My mum and I would go see plays like Cats and Les Misérables, which is what inspired me as far as acting is concerned.
“I also suffered from anxiety and I knew that acting was this strange and wonderful way for me to overcome a lot of those feelings. Although that wasn’t the reason I turned to acting, it helped me a lot and once I started getting seriously into it I knew that it was my calling in life.
“I love to watch movies. Love stories always inspire me. My role models were Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio (in Romeo + Juliet). When they fell in love, that’s when I fell in love with movies and when I realised I wanted to be Juliet. I think every young girl dreams of being Juliet. Thank God for that movie or honestly, I wouldn’t be here.”
She entered a new chapter in life when she got married to director Thomas Sadoski and had two children
“You realise that it’s not just about yourself any more. You grow and develop. I no longer need the affirmation of others that I needed earlier for whatever reason. I’m not really concerned about what other people might think of me any more and that’s because my priorities in life are now completely clear … and I think first and foremost of my life with my husband and our daughter. Everything is completely different. I need to be that woman that I struggle to be and I have to remember it’s now or never. I have to be there and be present. I am making sure that I get what I need for my health and sanity.”