‘I’m living in empty nest’ – Zeta-Jones
CATHERINE Zeta-Jones has spoken out about her children leaving home and their dreams of carrying on the Douglas acting dynasty on Drew Barrymore’s talk show.
Mumbles-born Ms Zeta-Jones appeared on the talk show in the midst of starring in hit drama Prodigal Son, opposite Michael Sheen, and was open about her children, Dylan and Carys, leaving home.
But the star of Zorro, Traffic and Chicago said she feels a “joy” in the pair embarking on their next step in life, knowing that she and husband Michael Douglas have done a good job.
“It’s so bizarre, Michael and I are about to become empty-nesters and that term for me is so cold, ‘what do you mean? They’re not going anywhere, they’re going off to school,” said the Oscar-winning actor.
“It gives me joy to be an empty-nester, I see what both Michael [and I] have done, and I’m not bragging, but you take two people come together and there’s a creation and you guide them.”
The star then talked about how her mother, Patricia, gave her a “blueprint” for raising children when she and her brothers were brought up in Swansea in the 1970s.
“I had a mother who was a blueprint for how I should be. Strict, but not too strict – for her, it was about manners. She was a disciplinarian but kind. She gave us a long, long leash but we never made that taut,” added the 51-year-old, who revealed back in 2019 that Dylan and Carys spent two weeks each year with their grandparents in Swansea when they were growing up.
“With my children I tried to instil those qualities the best I could. For Michael and I, the best joy we get is when our kids get complimented about our kids’ behaviour and their manners.
“Now that term ‘empty nest,’ I can turn to Michael and say ‘remember me?’ We’ve done our bit and we can enjoy their journey, be there for support, tell them if they need to rein it in a bit. Their love for learning is insatiable and that gives me joy.”
Catherine also revealed that Dylan and Carys have a love of acting, and while they are studying at university at the moment the pair would still like to carry on the Douglas name – a legendary one in Hollywood terms thanks to grandfather Kirk and father Michael.
She described their love of the craft of acting as “so strong”.
“And they’ve never done anything professional, but they would like to go into acting,” she added.
She said being the offspring of famous acting parents made it even harder for Carys and Dylan.
“One has to prove oneself more, so even with that deterrent my kids are like, “No, sorry, we still want to do it.”’