Anne Hathaway may have dreamed a dream of Oscar glory for “Les Misérables,” but it didn’t exactly come as true as it seemed.
In an interview with The Guardian published online on Thursday, the actress revealed she was actually “very uncomfortable” while accepting her Academy Award for the 2012 film – but felt obligated to try and appear otherwise.
“I kind of lost my mind doing that movie and it hadn’t come back yet,” she told the British publication. “Then I had to stand up in front of people and feel something I don’t feel, which is uncomplicated happiness.”
The 33-year-old said she may have been overcompensating as a result of achieving what’s largely considered the pinnacle of success in Hollywood.
“It’s an obvious thing, you win an Oscar and you’re supposed to be happy. I didn’t feel that way,” she continued.
Anne went on to explain how her “Les Mis” role as Fantine, a desperate single mother who sells her hair, teeth and body in order to support her daughter, left lingering inner conflict as she took the podium – especially while wearing a custom Prada dress and $10 million diamond necklace.
“I felt wrong that I was standing there in a gown that cost more than some people are going to see in their lifetime, and winning an award for portraying pain that still felt very much a part of our collective experience as human beings,” she said.
Anne’s public persona throughout much of that awards season resulted in some skepticism about her sincerity, even spawning the term “Hathahater” on social media. The backlash, she admitted, was not lost on her.
“I tried to pretend that I was happy and I got called out on it, big time,” Anne acknowledged. “That’s the truth and that’s what happened. It sucks.”
Despite the tough lesson, Anne said she’s put a positive spin on the experience and has continued to move forward.
“But what you learn from it is that you only feel like you can die from embarrassment, you don’t actually die,” she said.
Now, Anne is focused on a whole new role — motherhood. She and husband Adam Schulman welcomed son Jonathan back in March, and the addition has changed her perspective on the future.
“I’m just going to be staring in awe at my son,” Anne said, when asked where she sees herself in 25 years. “I’m a mum for the rest of my life.”
Although family is now a larger focus, Anne still keeps career goals in mind – along with a sense of humor. She told the paper what her backup plan might have looked like if her showbiz journey had turned out differently.
“I think I would probably have four unturned chairs on ‘The Voice,'” she joked.
— Erin Biglow