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The favorite of Hollywood and Pedro Almodovar, a beauty and a workaholic, the beloved wife of Javier Bardem himself and the mother of two children. Meeting with Penelope Cruz, who seems to succeed in everything in life.
No, I did not expect that the diva, whom everyone is used to seeing in the image of a sultry beauty on the movie screen or in designer outfits on the red carpet, wears only bright dresses with the deepest neckline. Of course no. However, when she appeared at the appointed hour at the cafe where she had made an appointment, the effect was no less impressive, despite the rather discreet dark suit. A light feminine blouse with a bow at the neck, obligatory high heels, invariable “smoky” eye makeup, the only concession to everyday style is thick hair carelessly pulled into a ponytail. What else? There is a special softness in her manner, which is emphasized by a cozy melodious accent. It feels very in harmony with her new – not a movie, but a female – role: in July of this year, the actress gave birth to her second child. Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem recently sold their home in Los Angeles and now live between New York and Madrid with two-year-old son Leonardo and newborn Luna, planning to settle back home so that the children grow up in their beloved Spain. No, she is not going to take a break in her career: last spring, the audience saw her in a lovely cameo in another film by Pedro Almodovar (“I am very excited”), and in the autumn the thriller “The Counselor” was released, in which Penelope and her husband played. They do not hide the fact that they are happy together, and both strongly protect their relationship from the press. (“I never talk about it,” Javier said clearly and clearly in an interview that appeared in the last issue of Psychologies.) Still, I decided to ask the actress a few personal questions.
Madrid – New York – Madrid
Penelope Cruz Sanchez was born on April 28, 1974 in Alcobendas, a suburb of Madrid. in the family of retail store owner Eduardo Cruz and beauty salon owner Encarna Sanchez. At the age of four, she entered the choreographic studio and continued to study ballet at a professional level for a long time. At the age of 14, under the influence of Pedro Almodovar’s film Bind Me, Penelope decided to become an actress. In 1992, she played the lead role for the first time – in Bigas Luna’s film Jamon, Jamon, where Javier Bardem became her partner. Thanks to this picture, Cruz became famous in Spain and attracted the attention of her idol Almodovar, who repeatedly collaborated with her in subsequent years. In 1998, the actress received her first role in the United States, but Cameron Crowe’s Vanilla Sky (2001) became a real breakthrough in Hollywood, on the set of which she began an affair with Tom Cruise, which lasted three years. In 2007, after working together in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, she began a serious relationship with Bardem. In 2010, the couple celebrated their wedding, in January 2011 their son Leonardo was born, and in July 2013 their daughter Luna. To date, Cruz has about 50 film roles behind him. Among her acting awards are an Oscar, a prize at the Cannes Film Festival and three Spanish national film awards Goya.
Another rhythm
Psychologies: You always had such a busy work schedule: several films a year, serious preparation for each role. And lately you’ve slowed down a bit – perhaps for the sake of the children?
Penelope Cruz: Yes, but not only. I’m still learning to relax, not to give in to the feeling that I absolutely have to participate in every project that comes my way. Previously, I simply could not do otherwise – a terrible anxiety always rolled over if there was no filming or there was no need to prepare for the next film. But a few years ago, even before we had Leonardo, I almost physically felt that spending 10 months a year on the set is still not a very healthy rhythm of life. Well, I concluded: I began to try to devote more time to myself. Whatever – read more, or cook, or take photographs. Yes, just walk! And you know – it turned out that I like that I can not think about work all the time. Now it is very important for me to establish a normal, ordinary life and create a world separate from work for myself and my family. I remember what my mother was like, and I hope to become the same support for my children that she was for me. I like spending time at home, being a housewife – I even like the word itself, although I know that in the English-speaking culture it has a somewhat disparaging connotation.
“WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN A WAY FOR ME TO EXPLAIN MY EMOTIONS. BUT NOW I AM NOT SO DEPENDENT ON MY ROLES ALREADY”
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Family or work – almost every modern woman has to find this balance. Do you seem to have identified it?
P.K.: I decided a long time ago that even because of the child I was not ready to put my career on pause. Don’t think it’s not about my acting ambitions – that would just be unfair to myself. Yes, to my husband and children! Yes, I love my job and I need to play to be…happier. It turns out that I myself and my family are all winners.
And there is still enough energy for everything?
P.K.: Yes, in me since childhood there was just a sea of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbenergy! The notorious Spanish siesta has always been a real test for me: I had to constantly occupy myself with something in order to burn this very energy. Now, of course, I get more tired – after all, children are children. However, at the same time, I feel much better than, for example, five years ago, when I starred in several films in a row without a break. Now I have given up on such a load, I decided not to take on more than one role a year – well, or two, if I know that the shooting will not go long, like, for example, Woody Allen.
Pedro Almodovar once said that he has no idea how you would cope with overwhelming emotions if you did not give them an outlet in acting. Now you play a little. What about emotions?
P.K.: Pedro is right, work has always been a way for me to throw them out. But now I’m not so dependent on my roles. That part of my life that is outside of work has become completely different – and there certainly is where to apply your temperament! In any case, I no longer feel restless when left to my own devices. True, even children leave me few such moments!
Another success
In 2009, you received an Oscar for your role in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. If it’s not a secret, where do you keep it?
P.K.: At home in Spain. And I still can’t find a suitable place for it. The first time after I received an Oscar, I was so delighted that I carried it with me everywhere. Imagine, I even brought it to the beach once!
And how – swam with him?
P.K.: What are you, he would have drowned – very heavy! (Laughs) I had to leave him lying on a towel.
Do you think fame is nice?
P.K.: Pleasant, sometimes very. But not enough to be happy. In the sense that when you become famous, it does not add to your life. But there are well-known consequences – the same paparazzi, for example. I don’t mind being photographed, but I can’t stand the newspapers publishing pictures of my family, and especially children. A child is not a designer handbag! The fact that Javier and I have chosen such a profession for ourselves does not give anyone the right to invade the personal space of our children. By the way, when we are in America, we prefer to live not in Los Angeles, but in New York: it is much easier to avoid this there.
You are the most famous actress in Spain: roles in the films of great directors, several prestigious awards, a personalized star on the Walk of Fame … Have you achieved everything you dreamed of?
P.K.: Well, let’s just say: I never dreamed of becoming famous. I wanted my life to be filled with creativity – and this is completely different. As a child, I prayed every night before going to bed: please, let me have a boring job! Doing what you love, and even earning a living from it – this is really not life, but a dream. And sometimes it does come true! (Laughs.) But still, you don’t need to be sure that it will always be this way.
Are you saying that all your achievements do not add confidence to you?
P.K.: No, I mean… I often think about it and come to the conclusion that self-confidence is measured not by the degree of success, but by something else. It seems to me that most actors, if not all, are never completely sure of themselves. Although, to become an actor, you need to have a certain level of conceit. But at the same time self-confidence is our main enemy.
Muse Lancôme
Charismatic, radiant, sincere – this is how Penélope Cruz is seen in the House of Lancôme, which for the third year has chosen her as its beauty ambassador. She recently introduced a new take on the iconic Trésor fragrance, Trésor Eau de Parfum Lumineuse. His image is the highest expression of love, bold, ardent, accomplished femininity. And since 2014, the actress will also present new makeup products of the brand.
Another self-image
But you don’t seem to have such an enemy?
P.K.: Well, I try. I do not think that I am deceiving myself – of course, I have some degree of self-confidence. But it’s even better: to know that it is there, and to keep it under control. In general, self-doubt, fears, shyness are an integral part of the life of an actor. After all, we are dealing with very difficult matters – emotions, and we often flaunt too intimate things.
They say about you that you are a perfectionist: you always try to surpass yourself, set yourself increasingly difficult acting tasks, ask directors for additional takes …
P.K.: Yes, this is typical of me. I have always been very strict with myself, striving to become better and, perhaps, never felt completely satisfied with what I had achieved at this stage of my own life. Then for a long time I tried to somehow pacify my perfectionism. But for the time being, I must probably admit that I am not very successful in this until the end. I try to relax, to be more open – not only in work, but also in communication with loved ones. I guess I really lack confidence in myself. I always need time to get used to a new environment. It’s funny: I’m always nervous before filming, but as soon as I start working, it completely captures me, and my anxiety disappears like a hand.
Besides work, what helps you deal with anxiety?
P.K.: A sense of humor, the ability to laugh at yourself is a very important quality. I just try to remind myself more often: laugh more, worry less! With friends and family, I always have fun and calm. But before, when I was alone, I became serious, even gloomy, worried about what I shouldn’t… Now I try to take life easier, not to put pressure on myself so much. Probably, this feature will remain in me forever, but now I have already ceased to engage in self-discipline from morning to evening. If I manage to live for today, I feel much happier.
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Other feelings
Did motherhood add to your worries or, on the contrary, dispelled them?
P.K.: Oh, now I’m terribly worried about whether I can become the best mother in the world! (Laughs.) In general, once in this role, you begin to think less about yourself and completely switch to the child. From a young age, I was always worried, taking too much to heart. But children do not leave time to worry about trifles! Yes, anxiety will haunt me all my life – but this is already for them, not for myself.
What else do you feel changed about you when you became a mother?
P.K.: From this moment everything changes! Literally everything. You look at the world with completely different eyes. From the first moment you feel so much love! It’s as if a complete upheaval is taking place inside, a revolution – you can’t say more precisely. Nature gives us nine months to somehow prepare for this, and still this sudden upheaval is inevitable. When you see that tiny face, you change forever… and in some strange way you come back to yourself at the same time. Motherhood is like another opportunity to return to childhood, to relive what was in it … It’s like rediscovering your world.
“I TRY TO TAKE EVERYTHING SIMPLE, LIVE FOR TODAY, NOT PRESSURE SO MUCH ON MYSELF”
Many are surprised how quickly you managed to get into shape after giving birth – was it easy for you, an actress with a ballet past?
P.K.: I don’t know how important my ballet past is here … It just seems to me that after going through this, a woman finds some kind of special harmony with her body. Motherhood gives such powerful sensations that your own body begins to seem stronger. At least, I felt that it is capable of everything. I do not argue that a slim figure is good. But more important is the ability to feel good in your own body.
In one of the latest films (“Born Twice” by Sergio Castellitto, 2012) you had to play the same woman in her 20s, 30s and 50s. How was it for you to see yourself in a more mature “version”?
P.K.: Really curious! All the time I sent photos from the shooting to my relatives: look how much I look like my mother, my grandmother. Even for dad! In Hollywood, actresses begin to be asked about age and considered for aging as soon as they turn twenty. In this sense, I am lucky that I am from Europe.
I know that you do not like to talk about Javier, about children – and yet …
P.K.: All I can say about him is he is an amazing actor and an amazing man. And the children … I have the feeling that I’m talking about them all the time. But my husband and I have a rule – not to discuss our family in an interview. I will say one thing: I have never been so happy and serene.