Halle Berry has ended her ten-year pause on interviews to share the reasons behind her decision to avoid the press. The 59-year-old actress explained her choice in a recent discussion with The Cut, touching on topics such as her latest film Crime 101, menopause, and her opinions on California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Reasons Behind Her Interview Hiatus
Berry revealed that following her third divorce, she faced negative public scrutiny that affected her willingness to engage with the media. She said,
“After my third divorce, people started to say, ‘What’s wrong with her? She’s crazy. She can’t keep a man,’”
Berry shared in the interview.
The actress, whose career spans over three decades and who is notably the only Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, grew frustrated with the repetitive narrative focused on her personal relationships. This constant attention led her to withdraw from interviews entirely.
“I pretty much stopped doing interviews for a decade because I got tired of the same old story,”
Berry admitted.
“It was always: ‘Poor Halle — Unlucky in Love Again.’”
Clarifying Misconceptions About Her Personal Life
When asked to propose a headline that better reflected her story, Berry offered several options, moving away from the victim narrative. She suggested,
“Halle Berry Is Not a Damsel in Distress,”
followed by,
“Halle Berry Is Not a Victim of Failed Relationships,”
and ultimately settled on,
“Halle Berry Never Said It’s Anyone Else’s Fault.”
Berry has recently become more open about her personal life, having announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend Van Hunt on February 5 during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. However, there has been some confusion surrounding the proposal, which Berry addressed directly.
“It’s going around that I, that my guy Van Hunt — I’ve been dating him now for almost six years — well, there’s some confusion that he asked to marry me and I said no. I did not say no,”
she clarified.
Current and Upcoming Projects
Alongside her return to public conversation, Berry is starring in the crime film Crime 101 with Chris Hemsworth. She also has several other projects underway, including the action-thriller Maude v Maude, which features both Berry and Angelina Jolie.
Her extensive filmography includes an Oscar-winning role in Monster’s Ball, the iconic character Storm in the X-Men series, and her performance as Bond girl Jinx in Die Another Day. Berry expressed her gratitude for continuing to work in the industry at this stage of her life.
“As a Black woman, now almost 60, I still get to work in movies and do what I love,”
she told The Cut. “I’m winning.”
Reflections on Career and Resilience
Berry’s decision to break her interview silence offers insight into the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry, especially regarding personal scrutiny. Her openness now signals a renewed willingness to share her experiences on her own terms, underscoring her resilience and dedication to her craft. With new films and projects on the horizon, Berry continues to shape her narrative beyond tabloid headlines.
