Culture 4 min read By Morgan Griffin
Naomi Watts Opens Up About Menopause and Early Career Struggles
Naomi Watts recalls being told she «freaked people out» early in her career and describes the emotional toll of menopause, including crying in a bathroom while trying to remove an estrogen patch.
Naomi Watts is opening up about two of the most challenging periods of her life: the decade of rejection before she became a star, and the physical and emotional toll of menopause. In a candid new interview, the Oscar-nominated actress recalled being told by her agent that she was «too intense» and «freaking people out» early in her career, a period she describes as a grind that left her feeling worthless.
«It was a grind. That 10 years before I met David, I became so locked up and I felt worthless,» Watts said, referring to director David Lynch, who cast her in «Mulholland Drive.» She recalled her agent pulling her aside for a heart-to-heart: «Honey, you are too intense. You are freaking people out.» Watts's response was blunt: «Yeah, no shit. I was desperate, behind on my rent and getting evicted.»
The actress, now 57, also spoke about the isolating experience of menopause. She described a moment of despair in a bathroom, crying while trying to scratch off her estrogen patch. «I was crying in the bathroom, trying to scratch off my estrogen patch,» she said, illustrating the frustration and emotional turbulence that can accompany the hormonal transition.
Watts has long been an advocate for women's health, particularly around menopause. She has previously discussed the lack of open conversation about the subject and has worked to destigmatize it through her wellness brand, Stripes. Her latest comments add to a growing chorus of celebrities using their platforms to normalize discussions about aging, hormonal changes, and mental health.
The interview also touched on the years before her breakthrough. Watts arrived in Hollywood in the early 1990s but struggled for over a decade, taking small roles and facing financial instability. She has said she was on the verge of quitting acting when Lynch cast her in «Mulholland Drive» (2001), a role that earned her critical acclaim and launched her career. She went on to receive Oscar nominations for «21 Grams» (2003) and «The Impossible» (2012).
Her story resonates in an industry that often prizes youth and can be unforgiving to those who don't fit a narrow mold. Watts's willingness to speak about her desperation and eviction risk highlights the precariousness many actors face before achieving stability. It also underscores the pressure to appear composed and confident, even when personal and professional life is falling apart.
Menopause remains a taboo topic in many workplaces and social circles, despite affecting roughly half the population. Watts's description of crying in a bathroom while removing a patch is a vivid reminder of the physical and emotional symptoms that can disrupt daily life. By sharing her experience, she joins a growing movement of public figures working to bring menopause into mainstream conversation.
Watts's career has been marked by a mix of indie dramas, blockbusters, and television, including «Twin Peaks: The Return» and «The Watcher.» She continues to act and produce, and her openness about her struggles has made her a relatable figure for many fans. Her latest remarks are likely to spark further discussion about the realities of aging in Hollywood and the importance of support systems for women navigating midlife health changes.
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