In a recent interview on the talk show “Conan O’Brien,” renowned actress Naomi Watts revealed the challenges she faces when it comes to balancing her career in show business with her role as a mother. With two young children, aged six and seven, Watts admitted to initially wanting her kids to remain oblivious to her profession. She humorously shared her desire for them to think she worked in insurance or mowed lawns, just like any other typical dad.
However, as her children grew older, it became increasingly difficult to shield them from the reality of her job. “It’s an ongoing struggle,” Watts admitted. While her kids initially believed she simply worked in trailers and lounged around, they eventually began to grasp the concept of her being an actress. This awareness brought about a whole new set of challenges for Watts as a parent.
To normalize her career for her children, Watts sought creative ways to involve them in her work. For instance, when filming the movie “The Impossible,” which involved many shocking and realistic wounds, she would have her kids come to the set and assist in applying makeup. They would throw chocolate powder on her for dirt and pour fake blood on her, making her injuries seem more authentic.
While this solution seemed ideal at the time, Watts did recognize the potential impact it could have on her children. She joked about the dilemma of her kids ending up in therapy, saying, “Mother had us paint her in blood.” Nonetheless, she acknowledged that it was a difficult decision for her and weighed the pros and cons of having her children witness her job firsthand.
Despite their limited exposure to her movies, Watts disclosed that her children did manage to watch her in action in one film – “King Kong.” She shared that reading the book about the film and discussing it together made it more digestible for them. However, Watts also acknowledged the inherent fear and worry her children experienced when seeing their mother in danger onscreen.
In an attempt to ease their concerns, Watts mistakenly showed her kids a scene from the movie where her character was being sacrificed to King Kong. Recognizing their distress, she promptly switched it off and decided that her movies were best left unseen by her young ones for a few more years.
Overall, Watts emphasized that there was no real advantage for her children in watching her movies at such a tender age, especially considering their heightened fear and anxiety when seeing even clips of her on talk shows. It seems her kids have developed a fear of the show’s sidekick, Andy, which further reinforced her decision to keep them shielded from her work in entertainment.
During her conversation with Conan O’Brien, Watts’s vibrant personality shone through as she discussed the challenges and humor of being a mother in the entertainment industry. With her candid anecdotes and down-to-earth attitude, she exemplified the complexities faced by celebrity parents like herself.
Naomi Watts‘s revelation on “Conan O’Brien” not only provided an amusing glimpse into her life as a working mom but also emphasized the importance of finding a balance between a demanding career and the well-being of her children. As she continues to navigate the challenges of parenting in show business, Watts sets an example for fellow celebrity parents on how to juggle fame and family with grace and humor.
