‘Matilda’ Star Mara Wilson Reveals Her Surprising Reason for Quitting Hollywood

“Matilda” star Mara Wilson surprised many people when she left Hollywood at a young age because of the tough beauty standards in the industry. She shared her personal struggles, which included body dysmorphia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the loss of her mother. Let’s see what Wilson is doing now and how her views have changed since she stepped away from the spotlight.

Many fans of fantasy-comedy films remember Mara Wilson as the charming young actress who captured hearts in movies like “Matilda” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” She had great success on screen at an early age, but she made a surprising choice to leave Hollywood when she was still young.

Wilson faced difficulties with the strict beauty standards in the industry, which pushed her to step back from acting and live a more private life. Here’s what happened to the talented actress after she left the public eye.

Mara Wilson’s career started when she was only five years old. She was inspired by her oldest brother, Daniel Ben Wilson, who had begun acting in television commercials. Wanting to follow in his footsteps, young Wilson was eager to try acting herself.

Getty Images

At first, Mara’s parents were unsure and didn’t want her to pursue acting. However, her determination convinced them, and they eventually agreed to let her try it out.

Not long after, Wilson started appearing in various commercials, including ones for Texaco and Bank of America, which marked the start of her journey in show business.

Getty Images

Like her mother, Wilson faced struggles in her life, especially as a child star. She shared that even though she was popular, she often felt very lonely.

When she hit puberty, she no longer wanted to be famous and sometimes wished she could just escape from all the attention and publicity.

Getty Images

The actress often faced harsh comments about her appearance, including her weight and looks, which she found upsetting. Wilson recalled that people would call her “ugly” and say she was “useless now” and that she wasn’t cute anymore. She mentioned, “They said cruel and sexualized things about my body too.”

Getty Images

At 29, Mara Wilson felt sad when people seemed disappointed that she didn’t look the way they expected her to. She felt rejected, even though she was exhausted from acting and Hollywood had moved on without her. This experience led to a long struggle with body dysmorphia and an unhealthy obsession with her appearance.

She explained, “You think, ‘I’m ugly, I’m fat’ – and there were actual websites and newspapers and movie reviewers saying that about me.” This negativity affected her deeply, making it hard for her to see herself in a positive light.

Getty Images

Mara Wilson later attended New York University, where she wrote about her mother’s death for the first time. While working as a barista and a nanny, she often feared being recognized and ending up in a “where-are-they-now?” article.

She thought about taking a job in Los Angeles but decided against it, worrying that people would recognize her. Wilson wanted to move past being seen as someone to pity, but she still wondered if others would feel sorry for her because of her past.

Beyond the Kitchen Table: Finding Her Own Way

The air in the living room hung thick with tension. Seventeen-year-old Maya sat across from her mother, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. “Mom, I’m serious. I’m ready to live on my own,” she declared, her voice firm.

Her mother, a woman whose face was etched with worry lines, sighed. “Maya, you’re only seventeen. You’re not ready for this.”

“Why not?” Maya countered, “I can cook, I can clean, I can even fix a leaky faucet. And I’ll have you over every weekend to help with the chores. What more do you want?”

Her mother shook her head, her expression a mixture of concern and exasperation. “It’s not just about chores, Maya. It’s about responsibility, about independence, about knowing how to handle yourself in the real world.”

Maya scoffed. “I’ve been handling myself just fine. I’ve been working at the coffee shop since I was fifteen. I pay my own phone bill. I even learned how to change a tire!”

Her mother remained unconvinced. “Living on your own is more than just paying bills and fixing a leaky faucet. It’s about dealing with emergencies, making difficult decisions, and learning to rely on yourself.”

“I can handle it,” Maya insisted. “I’ve been planning this for months. I’ve found a great apartment, and I even have a roommate. We’re going to split the rent and the utilities.”

Her mother looked at her, her eyes searching Maya’s face. “And what about college?”

Maya shrugged. “I’m not going to college. I’m not interested in getting a degree. I want to start my own business, maybe a small bakery.”

Her mother’s eyes widened. “A bakery? Maya, you’ve never even baked a cake.”

“I’ll learn,” Maya said confidently. “I’m a fast learner. And besides, I’ve already started taking online courses in baking and business management.”

Her mother was speechless. Maya had never been one to follow the traditional path. She had always been independent, always forging her own path.

After a long silence, her mother finally spoke. “Alright,” she said, her voice a mixture of resignation and pride. “But if you need anything, anything at all, you call me. And I expect you to keep your apartment clean. No dirty dishes piling up in the sink.”

Maya grinned. “Deal.”

Moving out was both exhilarating and terrifying. The first few weeks were a whirlwind of grocery shopping, furniture assembly, and awkward encounters with her new roommate. There were late-night panic attacks when the power went out, and frustrating moments when she couldn’t figure out how to fix the leaky faucet. But Maya faced each challenge with a mixture of determination and resourcefulness.

She learned to cook, to budget her money, to navigate public transportation, and to rely on herself. She made mistakes, of course. She burned a few meals, she missed a few deadlines, and she even had to call her mother for help (more than once) when things got overwhelming.

But with each passing day, Maya grew stronger, more confident. She discovered hidden talents, developed new skills, and learned to appreciate the freedom and independence that came with living on her own.

She even started baking, her apartment often filled with the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. She sold her treats at the local farmers market, her small business slowly gaining popularity.

One day, her mother came to visit, a basket of homemade cookies in hand. “You know,” she said, watching Maya interact with her customers, “you’re doing a better job than I ever imagined.”

Maya smiled. “Thanks, Mom. I told you I could do it.”

As she watched her daughter thrive, her mother realized that Maya was right. She was capable, independent, and ready to take on the world. And while she might miss her daughter terribly, she knew that Maya was finally spreading her wings, ready to soar.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*