Catherine Zeta-Jones Talks Going Indie in Hollywood: “I Don’t Have to Prove Anything to Anybody”

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As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for biographies and Hollywood trivia, I find myself utterly captivated by the journey of Catherine Zeta-Jones. Her tale is a testament to perseverance, talent, and the power of determination – traits that resonate deeply with me as we traverse through our own virtual worlds.

On a casual chat at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Catherine Zeta-Jones discussed on Friday how winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2003 for Chicago had a positive influence on her.

She stated at the festival that it truly feels like the start, given the established precedent – her name being introduced as Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is an Academy Award winner. In a fascinating dilemma, Zeta Jones found herself torn between the joy of winning an Oscar and the gratification of winning a Tony, both of which hold significant value for her.

It was simply amazing to be recognized by Broadway’s lights, but receiving the Academy Award was completely unexpected – it took me aback. Now, at 55, Zeta-Jones shared her plans to retreat from the commercial pressures of Hollywood, where she thrived as a film and TV star, and instead venture into the independent film world.

She shared in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia that she’s currently working on a small independent film, which she’s thrilled about because it marks her first venture into the indie scene. She went on to say, “I want to be there. I want to do something challenging and fresh. This feels like a return to my roots in theater, as I don’t feel compelled to prove myself or work excessively for others.

Looking back at the start of her professional journey, Zeta-Jones often discusses how her early dance and singing experiences in Wales have been beneficial for her success in Hollywood. At just ten years old, she was a renowned child star, winning a national talent competition, and subsequently launching her career on London’s stage productions.

Reflecting on my humble beginnings, I can’t forget that my initial tap dance steps were taken at the terminus of a train line in Wales. This simple start eventually propelled me towards performing on the stages of London’s West End at a tender age.

She reminisced about her early beginnings in theater, noting that while she may not be a spring chicken, she’s had a long and fulfilling career. Reflecting on her past, Zeta Jones discussed the initial rejections she faced during auditions in London as she pursued stage roles.

She expressed that it felt just like triumphing twice in a race, when she managed to progress from auditions to stage performances and collaborate with theater legends. At 17 years old, she landed a breakout lead role in the successful musical ’42nd Street’, following her service as the second understudy for the show’s main character.

Zeta Jones expressed that her dream had essentially come true with landing the lead role in a theater production,” she shared. However, she noted that overcoming being known solely as a singer and dancer, and now establishing herself as an actor, presented a challenge. “I attended numerous auditions, and I was turned down on several occasions,” she reminisced.

However, in the year 1991, Catherine Zeta-Jones managed to secure a part in the comedy “The Darling Buds of May,” a role that instantly made her a household name in the United Kingdom.

She admitted that taking on a popular TV show was indeed a challenge,” she said. “After an hour of the show airing, my life took an entirely new direction. I became instantly recognized, which was something completely new to me,” Zeta Jones explained, recalling how fame found her at the tender age of 21, having spent much of her youth working.

However, enduring the rigorous tabloid examination in the UK honed her skills for the challenges ahead in Hollywood. She starred in a film titled “The Phantom” over two days in Los Angeles, and additionally, she was granted a six-month visa to pursue her ambition of establishing herself in Tinseltown.

She reminisced about her trip to America, where she felt this was an opportunity for her to excel. Eventually, Catherine Zeta-Jones landed a role in a CBS TV film based on the Titanic disaster. Fortunately, Steven Spielberg noticed the project and was captivated by Zeta-Jones’ performance.

Two days after the premiere of the show, Spielberg contacted her agent about potentially casting her in “The Mask of Zorro”, a role where she acted alongside Antonio Banderas and fellow Welshman Anthony Hopkins.

“Lesson to actors. If you don’t think you’re doing the role you should be getting, just do it, because you never know Steven Spielberg is watching,” Zeta Jones told the Red Sea audience. She added early training in singing and dancing helped her rise the ladder in Hollywood, including doing stunts and other physicality on camera.

As a devoted admirer, I too can’t help but mention Zeta-Jones’s role with Sean Connery in the film Entrapment. To put it simply, he served as a mentor to me off-screen. At that time, I was a budding actress navigating a largely male-dominated industry. He stood as my guardian, offering guidance and support when I needed it most.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, with her background in dance, proved instrumental in winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2002, which she received for her performance in the film musical, “Chicago.

In her own words, “The entire experience of the rehearsals, when visualized on-screen, encompassed the multitude of camera angles required for those dance sequences. Collaborating with dancers who seemed to understand my rhythm and movement, it was simply amazing,” Zeta Jones expressed about the partnership behind the movie musical.

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2024-12-06 15:54