MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Reese Witherspoon Endured Such Severe Panic Attacks From This Movie Role, She Underwent Hypnosis

“It changed me on a cellular level.” - by marie claire
  • 16 Jun 2021
Reese Witherspoon Endured Such Severe Panic Attacks From This Movie Role, She Underwent Hypnosis

When it comes to female-empowerment in Hollywood, Reese Witherspoon is one of the biggest champions. The actress is so dedicated to the cause; she created an entire production company ‘Hello Sunshine’ which aims to break down barriers for women in the industry.

In her most recent interview with Tracee Ellis Ross for Interview magazine, the 45-year old actress got extremely candid with her career experiences and mental health. While there’s no shortage of films she’s had a starring role in, she admitted that one in particular really took a toll.

When asked which role changed her the most throughout her career, Reese replied:

“Probably Wild. I was so scared to do that, Tracee. I had hypnosis, I was so scared. I was having panic attacks for three weeks before I started.”

reese-witherspoon-wild

Explaining why this role in particular was so terrifying for the actress, she said, “There was the nudity, sexuality, and drug-use aspect, but also being alone on camera with no other actors. I hadn’t ever been alone in scenes for days and days. There were probably 25 days of the shoot where I had no other actor opposite me. It was just me and a camera and a backpack. I was like, “Is this going to be so boring?”

As we all know, the movie certainly wasn’t boring. In fact, she scored both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for it. If you haven’t seen the film, it follows the journey of a recently divorced woman who decides to hike the 1,100 mile-long Pacific Crest Trail – alone. As she progresses further into the trek, she begins to discover herself. It’s a very intense, emotion-inducing movie, so one can only imagine how much Reese put into it.

Speaking about the memoir the film was based on, Reese said:

“Cheryl Strayed’s book was so beautiful and sacred to me because it spoke to me so deeply about how we as women have to save ourselves. There’s no mother or father coming to save us. There’s no spouse. I thought it was radical that at the end of the film, she ends up with no family, no money, no job, no partner, and she’s happy. 

Reflecting on the entire experience, she then added, “I don’t know if I’ll ever work that hard again, but it changed me on a cellular level. “

reese

Things are showing no signs of slowing down for the actress, with her starring role in Legally Blonde 3 being announced earlier this year. The trailer for the second season of The Morning Show also dropped yesterday, where she’ll return to her role as TV host Bradley Jackson alongside Jennifer Aniston.

Speaking about her expansion into television, Reese admits it’s a far greater commitment than movies.

“TV is a bigger commitment than I’ve ever experienced. I just finished season two of The Morning Show and I’ve never worked that long on a project in my whole career. I started when I was 43 and we’re wrapping when I’m 45.”

We love how open and honest Reese has always been about her life, good and bad. She's been increasingly more candid in speaking about her mental health, especially during the global pandemic. She told E Online that she'd sometimes "lay on the floor and cry" because she's simply "overwhelmed." 

Thank you Reese, for always keeping it real. 

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Reese Witherspoon's Real Name Just Came To Our Attention & Nope, We're Not Coping

Reese Witherspoon's Real Name Just Came To Our Attention & Nope, We're Not Coping

Reese Witherspoon Is Selling Her LA Home (And You Have To See The Renovations She Made)

Reese Witherspoon Is Selling Her LA Home (And You Have To See The Renovations She Made)

This Is Why We’re Feeling So Anxious Post-Lockdown, According To A Psychologist

This Is Why We’re Feeling So Anxious Post-Lockdown, According To A Psychologist

When It Comes To Anxiety, There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

When It Comes To Anxiety, There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

{headline}

{headline}

Women Often Put Others Before Themselves—But There's A Cost

Women Often Put Others Before Themselves—But There's A Cost

A New Trailer For Season 2 Of 'The Morning Show' Reveals A COVID-19 Storyline

A New Trailer For Season 2 Of 'The Morning Show' Reveals A COVID-19 Storyline

Re-Watching 'Grey’s Anatomy' In Lockdown Left Me Riddled With Anxiety

Re-Watching 'Grey’s Anatomy' In Lockdown Left Me Riddled With Anxiety

{headline}

{headline}

Zazie Beetz Is Leading the New Guard Of Hollywood

Zazie Beetz Is Leading the New Guard Of Hollywood

Anti-Depressants Aren’t A Sign Of Failure

Anti-Depressants Aren’t A Sign Of Failure

Reese Witherspoon And Josh Lucas Are Teasing A 'Sweet Home Alabama' Sequel, And We Need This To Happen

Reese Witherspoon And Josh Lucas Are Teasing A 'Sweet Home Alabama' Sequel, And We Need This To Happen

Reese Witherspoon Shared An Iconic ‘Legally Blonde 2’ Throwback For 4th July And It Feels Like 2003

Reese Witherspoon Shared An Iconic ‘Legally Blonde 2’ Throwback For 4th July And It Feels Like 2003

This Knitted Weighted Blanket Has Been A God-Send For Winter

This Knitted Weighted Blanket Has Been A God-Send For Winter

‘The Morning Show’ Season 2 Trailer Is Here And It’s Peak Chaos After That Cliffhanger

‘The Morning Show’ Season 2 Trailer Is Here And It’s Peak Chaos After That Cliffhanger

'The Last Thing He Told Me' Is The New Thriller Series Sure To Have You Hooked

'The Last Thing He Told Me' Is The New Thriller Series Sure To Have You Hooked

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire