I can't even open my eyes underwater.
— Jessica Chastain
I think that with any emotion - fear, love, nervousness - if the actor's feeling it, then the audience feels it.
You know, it's recently come into focus for me why I want to be an actor: It's because of the connection I feel to people.
When something happens, I always check myself and know it's going to go away. So be prepared for it. This is a tough business for actors who are sensitive. If you try to hold on to things, you'll go crazy.
I've actually been given a great gift. When I walk into an audition with a director, I'm carrying no baggage. They haven't seen me in anything, even though I've done nine films.
People were confused by me, and at first I was auditioning a lot for the crazy characters or the victim, someone who'd been attacked. Which is great, because usually those are the best acting roles.
I'm the first person in my family to go to college.
Okay, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: I'm a very superstitious person. I'm walking onto the plane as we speak. I'm putting my hands on the outside of the plane and my feet are on the lip of the plane. I have to do it every time before I fly.
I'm very sensitive in real life. I cannot not cry if someone around me is crying. I will start to cry if someone is crying, even if it's not appropriate. I have that thing in me, a weakness or sensitivity.
I always say I am a realist, and my mom says, 'No, you just have anxiety.'
I don't want to be in my car all day. I love getting up in the morning in Venice and walking my dogs down to the cafe to get my tea, and then perhaps going to a bookstore and sitting and reading, then walking to the beach.
Before, it was just about making the films - and now it's releasing them. Which is a steep learning curve.
I try not to fake anything.
There is this immediate connection, this intimacy when you're acting because there's no room to be polite or shy. Also, as an actor I get to connect with women I've never met before.
I'm inspired by people who are so sensitive and vulnerable that they try to cover it up.
Whatever anyone says, I think the opposite will happen.
When I first moved to Los Angeles, I don't think anyone knew what to do with me.
