She’s a unique face among theblondesand brunettes of the Hollywood elite.
But Chastain wasn’t always a glamorous actress with a handsome husband and an enviable bank account.
Want to find out more?
Read on to witness the stunning transformation of Jessica Chastain.
To this day, Chastain still loves the smell of freshly cut grass.
For a long time, Chastain was guarded when she discussed her childhood and for good reason.
Thus her acting dream was born.
On a less happy note, Chastain recallsbeing bulliedas early as age 8 because of her red hair andfreckles.
“And that no one wanted to be my friend.
The most cruel things.”
Fortunately, things got better when Chastain joined drama club, and she found her people there.
“Well, my grandmother was very, very helpful and inspiring for me.
That mentoring took many forms, whether it was theater, dance, or some other creative activity.
“She started by taking me to ballet lessons,” she continued.
And that’s what helped Chastain start to build the foundation that would guide her forward in life.
But as exciting as that was, the opportunity came with a massive amount of responsibility.
The first two years it was really tough on us.”
“Funny how defined we are by how we present ourselves to the world.
I’m either thought of as ethereal or fiery.
“But I’ve come to realize that everyone’s idea of what’s pretty is so different.”
That’s for sure, but, if there’s one thing Chastain isn’t, it’s unattractive.
“I knew at that moment it was life-changing,” she recalled in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter.
Who is this person?'
And indeed it was.
After that, her career truly took off.
Fortunately, Chastain has learned since that there’s a better way to go about such things.
If I have to gain weight or gain muscle, work with a nutritionist,” she continued.
That’s good advice for anyone!
Chastain didn’t even have to chase the role, as it fell right into her lap.
She wants to meet with you on something.'"
Of course, Chastain told her to give Bigelow her number!
At the time, Chastain was under contract to appear inOblivion, which would have been a conflict.
Fortunately, she got help from a friend in a high place.
“Someone contacted him from my agency and said, ‘Listen, she wants to work with you.
And she would love to, but there is this other film, and it’s so important.’
And he said, ‘OK, we’re going to let you out of your contract.'”
That was a super stand-up move, Tom!
“Chris Nolan decided to make it about a father and daughter instead.”
“Of course if you need a sex object then that’s different,” she continued.
Chastain played a similar role the following year as Commander Melissa Lewis in 2015’sThe Martian.
And for Chastain, being in an environment with more women than usual was an inspiring experience.
“I can’t tell you it’s amazing.
I don’t think the problem is women; it’s the representation.
It goes to the agents.
It has to change.”
Louder again for the people in the back, Jessica!
The company notablyboasts only female execs.
Additionally, in 2017, she was honored atVariety’sPower of Women event for her work with Planned Parenthood.
Chastain has also pledged not to work in states with overly restrictive abortion laws, according toSky News.
And, of course, she’s been a vocal supporter of the#MeTooand#TimesUpmovements.
“So to me, marriage is not an important thing.”
“He’s a gentleman,” she gushed in an interview withWmagazine.
“And that’s very important to me.”
He’s also not an actor, something Chastain has said was a deal-breaker for her in the past.
Sounds like it was one heck of a time!
Congratulations, you two!
“You’ve got good taste, kid,” she wrote in the caption.
A project that Chastain has been most excited about is a biopic about the scandalous televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.
Chastain will sing on screen for the first time in the project.
Good question, indeed.
