Kristen Stewart released an in-depth statement on Monday sharing her insights on mental health, which were shaped by her role as Princess Diana in Spencer. Stewart has enjoyed the honor of her first-ever nomination for Best Actress for the 2022 Academy Awards for the biopic, directed by Pablo Larraín. She's made great use of the press tour so far, generating plenty of media buzz which has celebrated that the category will include a nominee who identifies as openly bisexual to foster visibility for LGBTQ+ actors. She also recently served as the honorary chair at the Independent Spirit Awards, where she and fellow hosts Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally gave Vladimir Putin the middle finger in opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Spencer intimately follows a slightly fictionalized version of Princess Diana as she wages subtle battles with the British royal family over the course of a holiday weekend. Stewart's performance demanded much of the actress, who portrays one of the world's most beloved tragic figures, including the tricky execution of a visceral scene in which Stewart as Diana appears to eat pearls from a broken necklace. Larraín, who directed a similar historical psychological drama in his 2016 film Jackie starring Natalie Portman, provided a perspective on the Princess rarely seen, which addresses not only the figure's publicized issues within her marriage to Prince Charles and the pressures of living in the royal family, but also alludes to her struggles living with an eating disorder.
In an emotional statement using the official letterhead for Spencer, which was shared on Twitter by entertainment journalist Courtney Howard, Stewart writes intimately about her role and overall career. Stewart's statement furthers the conversation surrounding mental illness not only in words, as the actress also committed to a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The complete statement can be seen below:
Prior to the announcement of the Academy Award nomination, Spencer wasn't receiving as many nominations as expected following its positive critical reception. The actress' performance was snubbed by the BAFTAs and passed over by the Screen Actor's Guild. Stewart did receive a nomination for a Golden Globe, though she lost to Nicole Kidman in Being the Ricardos. The film received the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 2021, the highest prize offered by its organizing committee. As this year's Academy Awards quickly approach, Stewart's nomination and press coverage continue to spotlight topics the actress chooses to be vocal about – further bolstered by her compassionate portrayal of such a renowned icon and activist.
It's clear from her thoughtful expression in the statement that the role has not only greatly impacted Stewart's career, but has shaped the meaning she finds in her own personal life as well. Fans of Stewart have been given yet another reason to praise their outspoken hero in her ability to weave together seamlessly the roles she has taken in her career, the person that she is, and the causes that she cares about. As Stewart makes the most of her moment in the sun following the likely dark and painful experience of playing such a difficult role, she has made a conscious effort to spotlight ongoing humanitarian efforts, much like the legacy of the character she portrays in Spencer.
Source: Courtney Howard