Cameron Diaz had reached her breaking point. When Annie hit theaters in 2014, it marked her 38th movie in 20 years. "It's so intense to work at that level and be that public and put yourself out there," she told pal Gwyneth Paltrow during a 2020 Goop interview. "There's a lot of energy coming at you at all times." She decided to take a giant step back from Hollywood to focus on herself and build the family she'd always wanted. In 2015, she married Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden, and the two welcomed daughter Raddix in December 2019 and son Cardinal in March. "Cameron was burnt out," a source tells Us, "and her priorities shifted."
After an eventful fulfilling and personally decade, Diaz is returning to the spotlight. Her new Netflix film, Back in Action, debuts Jan. 17. In it, she and costar Jamie Foxx play married former CIA agents who are pulled back into the world of espionage when their identities are blown. In May, the 52-year-old actress was spotted filming the upcoming Apple TV+ flick Outcome with Keanu Reeves and Matt Bomer in L.A., and she's set to star in Shrek 5, due out in July 2026. A second source says Diaz's decision to act again "evolved over time," adding, "It wasn't sudden." In October, she told the audience at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit that "it was just the right time for my family."
Make no mistake: Her next chapter will be on her terms. "Cameron [is] very selective about future projects," says the first source. Her priorities are her children and Madden, 45, and their low-key life in Montecito, Calif. "I'm not defining anything," Diaz recently told Empire about coming out of retirement. "I'm just open to whatever makes sense for me and my family at any given moment."
A New Perspective
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
25 THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME
The motocross champion reveals which A-lister made him flip and shares more fun facts - with Us
It's Hip to Be Squares
Hollywood Squares, that is. Drew Barrymore and Nate Burleson head up an all-star game show's return
The Law of Order!
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind us, the Home Edit’s dynamic duo help us stick to our New Year’s resolution to get organized
Josh Gad Rips the Band-Aid Off
Family. Loss. Weight. The actor beloved as the voice of Frozen's Olaf writes a book he calls 'therapy in front of a mirror. (Oh, and it's funny, too!)
The Second Coming of Cameron
For 10 years, Cameron Diaz put her acting career on the back burner so she could focus on family life with husband Benji Madden. Us reveals what prompted her highly anticipated return and what the future holds -
'I've Had Such a Crazy Fun Ride'
It’s been over 35 years since Ricki Lake broke into showbiz as the lovable Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.
Male Celebs Are Starting to Stir the Pot
Nothing gets Us going like a little gossip, and some famous men are finally joining the fun
The House That Jordan Built - Literally!
Iconic athlete Michael Jordan has finally unloaded his custom Illinois compound
Harrison Wants to Work with Calista
Harrison Ford has starred alongside some of the most famous women in Hollywood (think: Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren and Glenn Close). But there's one actress he's yet to share the screen with: his wife, Calista Flockhart.
Jimmy on His Bromance with Justin: 'I Love Him'
When it comes to text chains, Jimmy Fallon and BFF Justin Timberlake are just like Us! \"It's a lot of dad stuff,\" Fallon, 50, told Us at iHeartRadio Z100's Jingle Ball of his messages with the musician, 43.
