Margaret Qualley, known for her role in The Substance and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, opens up about her experiences navigating the entertainment industry in the March 2026 Vanity Fair issue, released February 24. She discusses how she has developed Margaret Qualley career confidence amid the pressures of public scrutiny and personal challenges.
Early Struggles with Self-Confidence in Acting
Qualley reveals that starting her acting career at a young age left her feeling overwhelmed and fearful of being vulnerable in the industry. She admits that early on, she worried that being fully herself would provoke negative reactions from others, which made her hold back from embracing her femininity. Gradually, she has regained control and become more comfortable leaning into her sensual and feminine nature.
“I started working so young, and when I first started acting, I was just overwhelmed. I felt like if I was fully myself, women would hate me and men would hurt me. And so that took away some of the tools that come with being a woman because I was scared. Gradually, now that I feel like I have more control of my life, I can kind of lean more into the sensual and the feminine.” – Margaret Qualley
Her husband, musician and producer Jack Antonoff, has been a strong influence in fostering her confidence to explore all facets of her identity.
“Jack [Antonoff] has helped me for sure, because he has made me feel more confident to explore all the parts of myself.” – Margaret Qualley
A Glimpse into Margaret’s Personal World
In a personal message to Vanity Fair author Marissa Meltzer after their initial interview, Qualley shared intimate details about her passions and close relationships, revealing a softer side behind her public persona. She expressed affection for her husband, family, dancing, horses, and even small joys like the moon and “happy crying.” She also highlighted the importance of female friendships, especially her close bond with actress Talia Ryder, and described her deep connection with her sister, whom she calls her first soulmate.
“I love my husband, my family. I love dancing and horses. I love the moon. Happy crying is the best. I love listening to Tara Brach and books on tape. And anything Jack writes. Female friendships are so holy, shout out Talia Ryder. My sister was my first soulmate. I wanna die on a farm. I need to learn how to drive stick, my brother tried to teach me but I was 12 and it didn’t land. Smokey, dog, god. I love you world, thank you for having me.” – Margaret Qualley
Lessons Learned from Career Challenges
Qualley admits to being highly competitive and driven, which sometimes led her to take on too many projects simultaneously. She describes this as biting off more than she can chew, resulting in burnout and a schedule that became difficult to manage. Reflecting on her choices, she clarifies that by “mistakes,” she means roles or opportunities she would avoid in the future, not necessarily that they were wrong at the time.
“I’m supercompetitive with myself, and I’m very driven. I have learned the lesson of my eyes being too big for my stomach professionally. That means taking all the opportunities I can get and then crashing and feeling like I have a schedule I can’t keep up with.” – Margaret Qualley
“When I say mistakes, I don’t mean it was the wrong thing, I mean I wouldn’t do it again.” – Margaret Qualley
Maintaining Privacy and Navigating Public Perception
Margaret Qualley prefers to keep much of her private life out of the public eye, explaining that she does not always feel adept at sharing herself openly in real time. She finds it preferable to remain somewhat mysterious rather than risk confusion or misinterpretation of her true character.
“I don’t feel like I’m always good at representing myself publicly in real time, so I would almost rather say nothing at all? Because rather than have the wrong idea about me, someone just wouldn’t have any idea about me.” – Margaret Qualley
The Role of Transcendental Meditation in Her Life
Practicing Transcendental Meditation twice daily has become a cornerstone of Qualley’s approach to life, helping her stay grounded and present. Previously, she admits she used her busy career to disconnect from reality, but now she sees staying engaged with life as essential for her well-being.
“I used to use my job as an excuse to check out of my life. I find that now staying checked in to my life is the best medicine.” – Margaret Qualley
The Path Forward for Margaret Qualley
As Margaret Qualley continues to embrace greater self-assurance both personally and professionally, her experiences and challenges shape a promising direction in her career. Supported by her husband Jack Antonoff, and grounded by her meditation practice and close relationships, she is navigating the often turbulent world of Hollywood with increasing resilience. Her evolving confidence signals ongoing growth, likely influencing her future projects and public presence.
