JULIA ROBERTS ‘THERE WAS NO NEED TO FAKE IT’
WORKING WITH SEAN PENN WAS A BREEZE, SAYS THE GASLIT STAR
President Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal has been told countless times before on-screen, but new drama series Gaslit examines the story from a new point of view – that of Martha Mitchell, wife of US Attorney General John Mitchell (played by Sean Penn). In an exclusive chat with New Idea, star Julia Roberts dishes on stepping into Martha’s shoes, as well as her return to rom-coms alongside old pal, George Clooney.
What can you tell us about Martha Mitchell?
She really was a bit of a ragsto-riches kind of woman. It was all the things in-between that attracted me to the role – the big, drunken party version of Martha. That stuff is fun to play.
How did you find the chemistry with Sean?
It was really always there. Sean and I have been good friends for a long, long time and we were able to bring that to this. There was no need to fake it.
What did it take to transform into Martha?
It was nothing compared to Sean’s herculean prosthetics, but I had this piece that I wore on top of my teeth to change the shape of my mouth. One time, Sean and I had a scene where we are supposed to be kissing. He knocks me off the couch and jumps on top of me, and I was laughing so hard this thing popped out. It’s loose in my mouth while Sean is trying to kiss me!
You’re returning to romantic comedy in Ticket to Paradise. How was it working with George Clooney again?
It was heaven. It was everything you would imagine. It was fun and it was outrageous. The world has been through such a dark time, so Ticket to Paradise is our attempt to make people laugh and smile again. And if it’s half as fun to watch as it was for George and I to make, then it should be awfully entertaining.
Do you have any plans to work with your husband, cinematographer Danny Moder, again?
I think we’ve worked together seven times … I love working with Danny. I don’t know how it is for him, you’ll have to ask him! We haven’t got anything coming up, but I’d love to do something else.
You are one of Hollywood’s most recognisable stars. Does that make it hard for you to enjoy a normal life?
I’ve never been a person that attracted energy that means you can’t just go to the grocery store. When people do speak to me, it’s usually pretty normal – like I’m their neighbour … “My daughter looks just like you” or “Oh, you cut your hair” – those are the kinds of things people approach me with.
NEW EPISODES OF GASLIT AIR SUNDAYS ON STAN
Joining an elite club that includes Guy Sebastian, Kate Miller-heidke and Jessica Mauboy, Sheldon Riley says it is “the greatest honour” to represent Australia in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. New Idea caught up with the former Voice finalist before he flew out to
Turin, Italy, where this year’s contest will take place.
My earliest Eurovision
memory is… watching Conchita Wurst win in 2014. It changed my life.
The one thing I’m most looking forward to about performing at Eurovision is... just being there and being a part of such an inclusive, important event.
To represent Australia at Eurovision feels… like the greatest honour. I hope I do Australia proud!
My song ‘Not the Same’ is important to me because… I wrote it when I was really young.
I’m so proud of who I’ve become.
My favourite Eurovision
act is… Barbara Pravi, who represented France in 2021.
My favourite place
to sing is… my old high school piano. At school, I spent a lot of time in the music room and I still consider the piano there to be my favourite place to sing.
If I win, I will celebrate
by… I’d celebrate with my family and friends! Winning Eurovision would be a dream come true.
My musical idol is…
Lady Gaga. She’s simply groundbreaking.