I had gotten to a place where I truly believed everything I was called: 'not sexy,' 'not funny,' 'too intense,' desperate.' All those labels they gave me, I took them because there wasn't a trace of my true self left.
Naomi WattsRead
I got knockback after knockback at auditions. Just before ‘Mulholland Dr.’ my agent told me I was so intense I was freaking people out. She told me I was a brilliant actor but the feedback was that I made people feel uncomfortable because I was so nervous and intense. I just sat there and blubbed. My mum was staying in LA at the time and I went to her and said: ‘I just can’t do this. I’m not cut out for it.’ She just said: ‘Don’t believe a word people say about you. Forget them.’
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-belief and resilience despite external criticism.
In this quote, Naomi Watts reflects on her struggles with intense feelings of nervousness and the negative feedback she received while auditioning. Despite feeling defeated and doubting her abilities, the supportive words from her mother encouraged her to disregard the negative opinions of others and to maintain faith in herself, illustrating the key to overcoming obstacles lies in self-acceptance and perseverance.
Themes
Self-BeliefResilienceSupportCriticismPerseverance
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a motivational speech to inspire aspiring actors or performers dealing with rejection.
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