Naomi Watts on obsessions, Liev, and being an ‘older’ mom
Naomi Watts appears on the March cover of Glamour magazine in promotion of her latest film, Funny Games. In the accompanying interview, the 39-year-old actress and new mom dishes about life with fiancé Liev Schreiber and their son, Alexander ‘Sasha’ Pete, 6 months.
Click below for the highlights.
On how she and Liev met:
Friends had been trying to hook us up foryears, but the timing was never right. Then I ran into him at theMetropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute gala [in 2005], and wespent the whole night talking and flirting.
At some point I thought,This night’s going to end and I might never see him again. So I said,in a cheeky way, “Don’t you want my digits?”
I can’t tell you why; inthe past, I would never have done that. If I was even remotelyinterested in a guy, I would ask for his number first. That way, Icould find out more about him on my terms.
Literally, within secondsafter [Liev] left, he texted me his number. I think he liked that I wasa bit aggressive.
On being together as much as possible:
So far, we’ve been quite lucky: We’re coming upon three years together and we’ve only spent three weeks apart at themost.
All throughout the pregnancy, Liev was here doing a play, andonce the baby was born, we all went to Lithuania while he filmed [theupcoming film] ‘Defiance.’
On the daily paparazzi shots during her pregnancy:
There was a different one [in the tabloids]every day. And since I’ve had the baby, it has continued: They want theshot of the baby in the stroller. It’s so embarrassing. Theyblock the sidewalk and get in people’s way, and everyone is saying,“Who are they photographing?” Meanwhile, no one recognizes me unlessthey’re around!
Especially when I was pregnant, I really picked on thefemale paparazzi, because I felt like they should have had more of aconscience about [what they were doing].
I don’t know how they manage to get a single shot with someonesmiling, because they make you so tense — particularly when you’ve got ababy with you. It makes me not want to go out. But I refuse to be held hostage in my home.
On motherhood:
Unpredictable. Draining. Euphoria. Very, very powerful. Unbelievable surprises and fatigue. [Laughs.]
On having a child in her late 30s:
Well, for one thing, picking him up off of the ground 20 times is different when you hear your knees cracking! [Laughs.]
Having a child later in life is interesting. From an intellectual pointof view, you’ve had a lot of time to do research and figure out how youwant to raise him. But there is also something to be said about havinga child in your early twenties, when you’re just operating on instinct.
My mother had my brother and me when she was 19 and 20. Obviously we’rethe best things that happened to her, but she had plans and dreams shenever got to fulfill. So I don’t have that feeling of, what am I givingup?
On things she wishes were different (or weren’t):
I wish [success] had come earlier, that Ihadn’t struggled for so long. But then it would have all beendifferent, and maybe I wouldn’t have taken the path that I did. Maybe Iwouldn’t have met Liev. So I believe I’m very fortunate the way thingsworked out.
I do want more children. I haven’t got too many yearsleft! I might not get the large brood that I’ve hoped for, but it wouldbe great to give Sasha a sibling.
On if that big rock means she and Liev are engaged:
[Holds hand up and smiles.] Yes — we have been for a while. But we don’t talk about weddings [to the press]. We’ll see what happens. We’re committed.
Her current obsession:
Right now it’s breast milk: Have I got enough? What if he’s hungry? Has he pooped enough? My obsessions these days aren’t very ‘Glamour!’
On sleep:
Ridiculous lack of sleep. I haven’t had an eight-hour stretch in five months. The most I’ve gotten is about six hours.
On where she sees herself in 10 years:
I’d like to have a second child, maybe even athird. Career-wise, I would like to be doing one film a year, playinggreat character roles. I feel like I’ll always want to continue towork, because I love what I do.
I’m not as anxious about everythinggoing away anymore, and even if things do slow down, that’s fine withme. Sasha takes up all my energy — and I love that.
Source: Glamour, March issue
- Posted on Feb 8, 08 at 9:37PM
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February 8th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
That’s a cute story about how her and Liev hooked up.
She refers to the baby as Alexander here and as ‘Alex’ on the Glamour website. I wonder if they don’t call him Sasha anymore, or if they are calling him a few different things.
I agree with her about being an older mom and your knees creaking! I was 38 when I had my son, and by that time I had definite ideas about what I wanted to do and how I wanted to raise him. It can be a good thing sometimes, I think. Except being called ‘of advanced maternal age.’
February 8th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I have always really liked her. It must be so weird dealing with the razzi. I would be really fearful for my child after how aggressive I’ve seen them be. They will do ANYTHING for the money shot. I think it’s great that she said she wouldn’t be a prisoner because of them. She really seems like a great mom.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:25 am
LOVE love her. She’s so honest and funny and down to Earth. Seems like she really found the right guy for her finally. Good things come to those who wait–sometimes better things, because you appreciate them more and you know more about what you want. If she had settled down earlier, maybe it would have been with the wrong guy.
I feel bad the paps hound her, but she so pretty (and real-looking) and I love seeing pictures of her. I hope we see more of the baby.
February 9th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Wow Naomi looks fab for 39! The shot of her holding the camera is gorgeous…
She seems like a really down to Earth, lovely Mum.
February 9th, 2008 at 5:25 am
I really really like her points about being an older mom, I think they are less about stardom and more about down to earth mothering, they don’t have anything to proove, it isn’t about being seen at the latest parties anymore, it’s about dedicating themselves to their children – Marcia, Brooke and Naomi are shining examples of that!
February 9th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I so love her!!! She looks great and soooo happy. I love that little family, they are really down to eaath people and they are a perfect match. They look great and the baby is so beautiful, I hope they do have more children, can you imagine if they had a baby girl?
February 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I just adore Naomi. She’s so real, normal and down to Earth… not to mention angelically beautiful. I hope they have a girl next!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:39 am
In 10 years time, a mom at 39 will be normal, so it’ll be okay. Ahahah (people live longer, career even more importante blahblahblah).
My mom had me in her late 30s and I just love the idea, I’d really hate to see my mom as a sister, and I’d hate to have a daughter who could be my sister either.
I so agree with what she says.
That’s when I get jealous of men, they can be daddies at any age they want and nobody says a thing (ah, and Mother Nature let them too)! Ahahah (but I say: good for them, at least them [men]).
February 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
LOOOOOOVE her!!!!!