Working with actor Vince Vaughn has been a “great experience” according to Reese Witherspoon who says she is a “big fan” and he makes her laugh daily.
The actress, who is filming the movie Four Christmases with Vaughn, was rumoured to be at loggerheads with her co-star.
The pair has allegedly clashed numerous times on-set but Witherspoon insists the reports are untrue and claims she has had a totally different experience.
“I’ve been a big fan of his for so many years,” says the 31-year-old Oscar winner. “Vince is one of the only actors working today who makes me laugh in every movie I see him in.
“Working with him has been a great experience for me, a real exercise in always staying on my toes comedically [sic]. I laugh every day at work.”
Witherspoon makes her comments in the US edition of Marie Claire magazine. The February issue hits newsstands this month with the mum-of-two pictured on the front.
Wearing barely-there makeup she talks about her film career, being a working mum and her new role as an advocate for women.
It is her image of being a “Type A” professional that have sparked rumours of clashes with Vaughn, 37, who supposedly likes to improvise.
Witherspoon addresses her stereotype and attributes much of her drive to her parents, both of whom are in the medical field. She says: “I had parents who believed I could do anything – and I know how that made me feel.
“I think both my parents, having careers in the medical profession, feel they are helping people on a daily basis and that was inculcated in me as a value.
“I had to struggle with giving up the idea of becoming a doctor myself.”
She adds: “I have to admit I was dismayed when I found out ‘Type A’ refers to a category of risk for heart disease – I thought it was just a nickname my mum gave me.”
While she steers clear of the subjects of her divorce from actor Ryan Phillippe and her romance with Jake Gyllenhaal, Witherspoon happily chats about her children.
The actress has a son and a daughter with Phillippe – Deacon, four, and Ava, eight.
Now juggling motherhood on her own she says: “I think, like every working parent, I sometimes feel that there are not enough hours in the day. “But overall, I’m very fortunate that my job has a lot of flexibility.
“I spend a lot of time with the kids, just around the house. They’re still pretty young, so I feel like what I can mostly do is listen to them and be there for them.”
She adds: “I worry about my kids growing up and how the world might hurt them.
“But at the same time I absolutely do not worry about them growing up – because they have great values and a great sense of self.”
Encouraging others to have a greater sense of self is another role that Witherspoon has taken on.
She was recently made the first global ambassador for cosmetics range Avon allowing her to tackle issues such as breast cancer.
In March she will address the United Nations in honour of International Women’s Day. It is a role that the actress relishes. She says: “I have someone very close to me who is a breast-cancer survivor and I know how important early detection is, along with the research that may one day lead to a cure.
“The Avon Foundation has been hugely active in the fight against breast cancer – and also in the areas of domestic violence and disaster relief.
“I went to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and it was devastating to see how underserved those communities are.
“I’m looking forward to helping raise money and awareness for these causes.
“In fact, over the years, I’ve been approached by many companies to support their brand or products but I’ve never felt as inspired as when I met the people from Avon – I feel like they have given me an opportunity to connect to women in a very personal way.
“We’re just getting started with all the ways I can help. I’m excited about speaking at the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow [presented by UNIFEM, the UN fund for women in partnership with Avon].
“As an actress and a producer, I’ve always tried to make choices that promote the strength and ability I find inherent in every woman – my hope now is that the quality of women’s lives can be tangibly improved.”
In between her philanthropic work, Witherspoon still has time for her day job, which includes being a film producer. Her latest project is the movie Penelope, which is released in February. Starring Christina Ricci, it is the story of a girl born with a pig snout for a nose – the result of a family curse. British actor James McAvoy co-stars.
Witherspoon, who has a cameo role in the movie, says she was drawn to the story because of the lead character.
She says: “[It was] the ability of this young woman to supersede social expectations of what she should look like and learn to love herself for who she is – including her pig nose [that inspired me].
“This is a film that let’s people know that it’s OK to be unique. It’s OK to be different; it’s actually better.
“I felt it could really speak to people, particularly young women, about self-acceptance.
“Penelope is original and funny and romantic and I can’t believe it’s finally coming out.”
Witherspoon is also complimentary about her co-stars in this movie, particularly Ricci who had to strap on a prosthetic – and unflattering – pig’s nose.
“Christina is such a trouper,” says Witherspoon. “She was enthusiastic about wearing it.
“All vanity went out the window. I think she has always valued how unique she is and has used that in her performances. I admire her tremendously.
“As for Penelope’s pig nose, it took quite a while to develop. We worked with a makeup artist to make it look as authentic as possible.”
Witherspoon also lavishes praise on McAvoy, the film’s male lead. She says: “James is the heart of the film. His caring and compassion for Penelope is just palpable. He’s a really soulful actor, incredibly intelligent and kind.
“He was a real get for us.”
As for her onscreen performance, Witherspoon says: “Annie [her character in the movie] is a bike messenger in the city and she talks a lot and has a lot of energy.
“She’s the kind of whirlwind. She helps open Penelope’s eyes to the wonders of the world and the excitement of being a free spirit.”
Recent Comments