Kristen Stewart, known for her early fame in the Twilight franchise, has revealed the unexpected parallels she discovered between her own media scrutiny and that faced by Princess Diana while preparing for her role in the film Spencer. The actor, who was just eighteen when Twilight debuted, stated that embodying Diana deepened her understanding of the intense pressures the late princess endured from relentless tabloid attention.
Emotional Toll of Recreating Diana’s Vulnerabilities
During an interview with The Telegraph, Stewart described how the role left her feeling emotionally exhausted, noting,
“It does kind of soul suck,”
as she connected with Diana’s youthful rebellion and fragility. She conveyed that those traits were not merely acts but genuine responses to overwhelming stress, saying,
“Her rebellious qualities felt so desperate, and so young and so vulnerable.”
Stewart compared her drained state after filming to being “a bit like a shell,” a revelation that offered insight into Diana’s own struggles.
“I think she did too. That was the point,”
the actor added, expressing a profound sense of empathy for the princess’s mental state during those troubled years.
A Spiritual Connection During Filming
The actor recounted experiencing eerie, almost supernatural moments of connection with Diana while shooting Spencer, which was released in 2021. Stewart told the LA Times,
“Even if I was just fantasising, I felt like there were moments where I kind of got the sign-off.”
She elaborated,
“She felt so alive to me when I was making this movie, even if it was just a fantasy of mine. But there were moments where my body and mind would forget she was dead,”
indicating how deeply she immersed herself in the role and the emotional presence of Diana.
Lasting Impact of Embodying a Tragic Figure
Stewart’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination, a testament to her dedication in portraying such a complex figure. Reflecting on the lasting imprint Diana left on her, Stewart shared with The Telegraph,
“I still am. I can’t drive around London, and Paris for that matter, without thinking about her… all the love that poured out of this woman.”
She also expressed the ongoing emotional impact, admitting,
“I can cry about her at any moment,”
referencing the locations tied closely to Diana’s life and tragic death in a car crash in August 1997.
Understanding Diana’s Enduring Legacy
Through Stewart’s revealing reflections, the complicated nature of Princess Diana’s life under constant media scrutiny is brought to light, along with the profound emotional resonance this had for the actress portraying her. Stewart’s experience hints at the lasting power of Diana’s story and the way public pressures affect those in the spotlight. The film Spencer remains a poignant exploration of this difficult chapter, continuing to provoke conversations about fame, privacy, and vulnerability.
