Julia Roberts - Homecoming Queen

Julia Roberts could deliver a masterclass in how to succeed in Hollywood. From finding her confidence to choosing joy, she tells Catherine Castro why it’s now, in her fifties, she’s living her best life

- Catherine Castro

When it comes to Hollywood greats, they don’t get much bigger than Julia Roberts. With more than 50 film roles spanning a 30-year career, Roberts is the woman responsible for some of the biggest box-office hits of all time – from Notting Hill and Pretty Woman to Eat Pray Love, Ocean’s Twelve and Erin Brockovich. As well as landing her an Oscar, the latter saw her become the first woman to command $20 million for a role, turning her into the world’s highest-paid actress of all time during the 90s. Today, mother-of-three Roberts [she married cinematographer Danny Moder in 2002] is still one of our most-loved (and bankable) stars. Currently on our screens in the critically acclaimed Amazon series Homecoming (her most fulfilling role to date, she tells us) and working as the face of Lancôme – a gig she’s held for almost a decade – we sit down with Roberts to find out how it’s done…

Watching you in action at our photo shoot, you’re a total pro. What are you thinking about when having your picture taken?

‘Interesting question. When you attend an event or a ceremony, you’re dressed beautifully; people have worked hard to make you look gorgeous. In these moments, I look at celebrities on the red carpet, and they pose with such… you know what I mean. I’d love to be able to do that! But I can’t. I feel too… I don’t know, I guess I still feel like a 12-year-old. It’s not just the excitement – I guess I’d like to, somehow, occupy the space a little more, but it’s just not who I am.’

Are you confident?

‘Yes, I think so.’

Were you always this confident?