Cameron Diaz, who officially retired from acting in 2018, has explained her decision in a rare new interview.
The actor, whose film credits include There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels and Gangs of New York, previously made the announcement during a sit-down with Christina Applegate and Selma Blair, her co-stars in 2002 comedy The Sweetest Thing.
Months later, she confirmed that it was unlikely she would pursue any new acting projects, stating: ”I feel it’s OK for me to take time for myself now to reorganise.”
Diaz has now opened up about her decision in a rare interview featured on a new episode of Gwyneth Paltrow‘s Goop Health: The Sessions.
She said that, because she was so dedicated to acting, she found that she never had “any space for [her] personal life”.
Diaz continued: ”I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life. I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it’s such a grind.
“When you’re making a movie, it’s a perfect excuse – they own you. You’re there for 12 hours a day for months on end and you have no time for anything else.”
She said that being in the spotlight was “intense”, adding: “There’s a lot of energy coming at you at all times when you’re really visible as an actor and doing press and putting yourself out there.”
Diaz, who is married to Good Charlotte singer Benji Madden, said she found “peace” with her decision to become “self-sufficient” when she turned 40 in 2012.
She described the feeling she experienced following her decision as "a peace in my soul because I was finally taking care of myself.”
Diaz’s most recent film appearance was 2014 musical Annie.
Her big break arrived in 1994 with Jim Carrey film The Mask. The actor's other roles, including My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Holiday and Shrek, solidified her as one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
