For somebody admitting to having been “often single and lonely” in her 20s, renting movies and eating pizza by herself, A-list actress Rachel Weisz is now a picture of happiness and contentment. Married to James Bond actor Daniel Craig for four years now, Rachel seems to have finally found the perfect partner.
First trained at the famed London Warehouse Theatre on classics like Tennessee Williams, Rachel’s film career picked up in Britain. She later moved to New York and earned an Oscar for her role in The Constant Gardener. Today, she shares her life between homes in both cities with Daniel and her son with former partner, film director Darren Aronofsky.
Since acting is no longer a tool to her financial survival, Rachel mostly chooses to do independent movies and spends the rest of her time with the family she had dreamed of for so long. Despite having worked with movie legends and award-winning films, the very private actress prefers quiet nights with her family over Hollywood parties and red carpet glamour.
Luckily, Daniel shares her sentiments and is not too eager to be on the red carpet himself. SolitaireLuxe caught up with the gorgeous actress in one of her rare outings in Hollywood.
What do I call you, Rachel or Mrs Bond?
I don’t live with Mr Bond. I live with an actor called Daniel Craig who has brilliantly convinced the world that he is James Bond. I don’t know Mr Bond, and Mr Bond doesn’t get married, does he [laughs]?
What’s been the best and worst present you ever got?
The best present is something that’s been made for you. My best friend made me a cushion, which she did with needlepoint. And it’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received. The worst gift? I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a bad present.
Tell us about that ring you’re wearing.
This was actually made by my friend Caroline, who grew up in Africa. She’s French and her mother was an anthropologist who moved in with some tribes. She was a little baby in Kenya and her mum married a Masai warrior, so my friend grew up in the Masai Mara. She designs jewellery and lives in America now.
Would we find a lot of African-themed jewellery in your jewellery box?
I don’t have a lot of jewellery. But I do have a rose gold Bulgari Serpenti watch that’s incredibly beautiful. It’s been designed in the ’40s, and Bulgari had just come out with the range again. Elizabeth Taylor used to have one with diamonds on it and it’s beautiful. Bulgari gave it to me because I’m working with them.
Why did you say yes to Bulgari?
I think they have beautiful, incredible designs. I love vintage jewellery. I love the ’60s and ’70s particularly, and that’s where they had their heyday. I think they’ve been designing for 150 years now. It’s an old, old jewellery house, but I love their jewellery.
Top fashion houses compete with each other to dress the stars. How do you decide about the gowns you wear on the red carpet?
I am not solicited. Not really. You know, doing the red carpet is like acting as well. It’s not real life. It’s like a fairytale. It’s a performance if you like. It’s just part of the job nowadays, or it has been for a long time I suppose. You get dressed up and you do hair and makeup and you go on the red carpet. It is make believe. It is fantasy as much as any movie is. It’s just a lot more glamorous than a film as I get to wear red lipstick and high heels. I guess it’s what the public are interested in ― fantasy storytelling in films and fantasy storytelling on the red carpet through the escapism of fashion. Fashion is an art form and it’s a beautiful art form.
