![The rise of Joaquin Phoenix THE MAN BEHIND THE MADNESS](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/13976/412161/5e419cda6b8eb/The-rise-of-Joaquin-PhoenixTHE-MAN-BEHIND-THE-MADNESS.jpg)
The night was a time for celebration. After winning big at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last month, everyone from Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston to the casts of Parasite and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel switched into party mode when the show ended and let loose at bashes with their well-earned trophies in hand.
But not Joaquin Phoenix. After taking home the coveted Best Actor prize, the Joker star skipped the parties, sacrificing the praise from his peers, and instead headed to a slaughterhouse some 9.5 kilometres away from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.
There, still wearing his recycled Stella McCartney tuxedo, the heartbroken animal-rights activist gave water and comfort to a truckload of pigs outside the facility, telling other protesters, “I have to be here.”
Joaquin has never fit the mould. Yet now, after decades of standing up for his sometimes unpopular beliefs and delivering bold yet beautifully nuanced performances that leave audiences riveted, the tortured and complicated actor is discovering a quiet peace following repeated efforts at self-sabotage.
An insider tells, “He grew up in the spotlight and saw the dark side of Hollywood from a young age. His life has been filled with loss and tragedy, and that’s affected him deeply, from his career choices and behaviour to his love life.
“He’s faltered and made some bad decisions. But at 45, he’s finally gotten to a point where he’s thriving in his work and at home. Joaquin says he’s the happiest he’s been in years.”
This story is from the February 17 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
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 February 17 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
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
![TREASURE & TRAUMA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/NaUu9tTTA1726058346852/TREASURE-TRAUMA.jpg)
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
![JUDGE JAY-JAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/nRkqxT8-p1726058178893/JUDGE-JAYJAY.jpg)
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
![CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/4iSjffA1d1726057982942/CASEYS-BABY-JOY-OUR-GIRL-IS-ALREADY-SO-LOVED.jpg)
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
![DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/LyyuVq76I1726057808062/DEAD-FUNNY-SHOSHANAS-GOING-SOLO.jpg)
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
![TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/mIx-31Xfj1726057640575/TWO-RAW-SISTERS-BABY-MAKES-THREE.jpg)
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
![HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/ehr5mhbd-1726057405184/HOME-AND-AWAYS-NEW-MORI-STAR.jpg)
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
![TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/ijNDL59wY1726057183713/TV-STAR-AIDEE-THE-NIGHT-I-ALMOST-DIED.jpg)
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
![CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/Fohq6ABLy1726056951634/CARMEL-SEPULONI-IVE-ALWAYS-BEEN-A-FIGHTER.jpg)
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
![KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/5xj3PmKtz1726056579459/KENNEDY-SOLLYS-ROMANTIC-RACE-TO-THE-ALTAR.jpg)
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
![THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/cxsWEmIVP1726056274964/THE-BRAD-GEORGE-SHOW-IS-BACK.jpg)
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!