Reese Witherspoon got candid about her private life and how it’s helped her fulfill her destiny during a recent interview with The New York Times.
Seven years after The “Morning Show” star revealed to Oprah Winfrey in March 2018 that she left an abusive relationship when she was younger, she’s opening up more about that unhealthy romance.
“I was very good at being a professional and showing up and doing the right thing, but I wasn’t emotionally mature when I was young,” the multi-hyphenate recalled during a Sept. 20 episode of the outlet’s’ The Interview podcast. “You get into relationships that don’t work for you, and sometimes you don’t even see the dynamics that are happening.”
The actress says she eventually left that relationship, but the effects were long-lasting on her self-esteem and gave her a distorted view of herself.
“My spirit had been diminished because I thought all those awful things that person said about me were true. I had to rewire my brain,” Reese, 49, said.
Years later, Reese stepped into a new season of life as a mom, welcoming her daughter Ava, 26, and son Deacon, 21, who she shares with ex-husband Ryan Phillipe, as well as son Tennessee, 12, with her ex-spouse Jim Toth. She admits she’s raising her youngest child differently from her older kids.
Host Lulu Garcia-Navarro asked if she’s “different as a parent this time around?”
Reese admitted she’s burnt out raising a preteen and two young adults. She replied: “Oh, for sure. I’m exhausted. I’m completely wrung-out and tired.”
“And whenever I lose my cool, I turn to my youngest and I go, ‘You’ve got to call your brother and sister. They wore me out. I’m so tired,” the “Legally Blonde” actress shared. “Like eat the cookie, go to bed late, just do it. But like, think about how it’s going to make you feel.’ And then, like beyond that, I’m so tired. I’ve been parenting for 25 years.”
Reese talked about her eldest child, Ava, following in her footsteps, making her acting debut in ABC’s medical drama Doctor Odyssey earlier this year.
“Well, it’s interesting because last year, she turned 25,” Reese said. “And when I was 25, she was a year and a half old, and I’d just done Legally Blonde. And I was about to start Sweet Home Alabama.
“We are just living very different life existences, realities. And I’m so proud of her for not being anything but herself. Not trying to emulate me or be me.”
She continued, “I’m just really proud of who she’s become as an individual.”