In Her Words

Three of Hollywood’s most successful A-list actors explain why they’ve made radical U-turns lately in life, love and career “I STOPPED CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK”

- Reese Witherspoon

I was on my first InStyle [US edition] cover in 2002, when I was just 26. Looking at that cover now, I can’t help but feel tender towards baby Reese and anyone else who’s going through that phase of life when they’re discovering who they are, especially in the public eye. I know what she’s about to go through and endure and triumph over, but she has no idea what’s to come, despite the fact that she does look all coy and knowing. I’m an actor: I might look like I know things sometimes, but I don’t.

Sometimes I do cringe when I look back [at images of myself], but it’s only because I can’t believe I cut my hair or plucked my eyebrows a certain way. More than that, I usually just think about what a lovely way it is to remember milestones in my life, like finishing a project I was really proud of or having kids.

It’s crazy how time flies, but I’ve learned so much about myself over the years. There’s a pretty good quote in [an interview I did in] 2002 where I said, “Listening to other people’s ideas about who you are can eat you up. Do they like me? Do they hate me? You could think about it all day.” That’s something people say in their twenties. Once you’re in your forties you don’t care what people think.