Michelle Williams Pictures as Marilyn Monroe in October 2011's Vogue

Michelle Williams Talks Marilyn Monroe, Healing, and Being Single in Vogue

September 13, 2011

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Michelle Williams covers October's Vogue, which hits newsstands on Sept. 20, and she's featured wearing the makeup, hair, and costumes from her upcoming movie My Week With Marilyn. The Marilyn Monroe biopic is out in the US on Nov. 4. Inside the issue, Michelle speaks about the process of making the movie. Michelle also touches on more personal topics, like how she and 6-year-old daughter Matilda are faring three years after Heath Ledger's death as well as some thoughts on dating. Michelle confessed to being single despite an apparent romance with director Cary Fukunaga! She said:

On getting older: "I feel like something has changed for me, but it’s a new change, so it’s going to be hard for me to describe. Maybe it has something to do with turning 30. I don’t feel as shy or nervous or self-conscious. I have more confidence that I can handle what life brings me. I don’t feel scared to have an idea and express it. I feel giddy about it because it’s a complete transformation. It’s like I’ve found my voice."
On gaining weight to play Marilyn: "Unfortunately, it went right to my face. So at some point it became a question of, 'Do I want my face to look like Marilyn Monroe’s or my hips?'"
On healing after Heath's death: "Three years ago, it felt like we didn’t have anything, and now my life — our life — has kind of repaired itself. Look, it’s not a perfectly operating system — there are holes and dips and electrical storms — but the basics are intact. . . . It’s changed how I see the world and how I interact on a daily basis. It’s changed the parent I am. It’s changed the friend I am. It’s changed the kind of work that I really want to do. It’s become the lens through which I see life — that it’s all impermanent."
On dating: "Relationships have always seemed very mysterious, and therefore worth exploring. I’m single, so it’s still kind of a mystery — a worthwhile mystery, one that I want to be on the scent of. . . . I’m not lonely, and I think that has a lot to do with what’s on my bedside table rather than what’s in my bed."

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by Allie Merriam 15

On getting older: "I feel like something has changed for me, but it’s a new change, so it’s going to be hard for me to describe. Maybe it has something to do with turning 30. I don’t feel as shy or nervous or self-conscious. I have more confidence that I can handle what life brings me. I don’t feel scared to have an idea and express it. I feel giddy about it because it’s a complete transformation. It’s like I’ve found my voice."
On gaining weight to play Marilyn: "Unfortunately, it went right to my face. So at some point it became a question of, 'Do I want my face to look like Marilyn Monroe’s or my hips?'"
On healing after Heath's death: "Three years ago, it felt like we didn’t have anything, and now my life — our life — has kind of repaired itself. Look, it’s not a perfectly operating system — there are holes and dips and electrical storms — but the basics are intact. . . . It’s changed how I see the world and how I interact on a daily basis. It’s changed the parent I am. It’s changed the friend I am. It’s changed the kind of work that I really want to do. It’s become the lens through which I see life — that it’s all impermanent."
On dating: "Relationships have always seemed very mysterious, and therefore worth exploring. I’m single, so it’s still kind of a mystery — a worthwhile mystery, one that I want to be on the scent of. . . . I’m not lonely, and I think that has a lot to do with what’s on my bedside table rather than what’s in my bed."

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Michelle Williams Vogue

15 Comments

LaurenceA 1 year 36 weeks

She is such a great actress...even if she looks nothing like Marilyn (which I don't think she does in still photos) I think she'll be brilliant in the movie. How she acts and how she carries herself will probably more than compensate for the lack of physical resemblance. I, too, am completely sick of hearing Heath Ledger's name whenever she is mentioned. He was so overrated, and a dead ex-fiance does not make you a widow.

Burkina 1 year 36 weeks

I'm not talking about her looks. This film is supposed to show a really different side of Marilyn right? And if someone can make this character flawed, real, Michelle can do it. I think this will make people view Marilyn as more than just a sex symbol.

kissmestupid 1 year 36 weeks

Burkina, "Michelle's portrayal will only make Marilyn look better." Now that's an interesting remark. So someone NOT sounding, looking, or acting like the real life character she portrays is "better"? And certainly, Michelle can talk/grieve about/for Heath all she needs or wants to in private and among friends. BUT, she should stop beating that drum in public interviews. It makes his tragic death and her response sound like a PR event..

Burkina 1 year 36 weeks

Oh and about Heath..we dont know their relationship. She loved him and he loved her. They have a daughter together and much of her sorrow comes from knowing her daughter will never know her father. I'm so sick of reading people say Michelle doesn't have the right to talk or feel grief over his passing.

Burkina 1 year 36 weeks

I'm sorry, but Marilyn was not a talent, she used her body and looks for fame. Michelle's portrayal will only make Marilyn look better.

awesomepants 1 year 36 weeks

I actually agree with jaan_black. Her face on the cover falls flat. I also agree that she needs to stop talking about Heath but when you get a Vogue cover you have to give a good interview or else they'll drop you for someone else.

noonehere 1 year 36 weeks

jaan_black, just take your pills and stop ruining this website with your stupid comments

jaan_black 1 year 36 weeks

she captured the depression in one of the shots...let me be really honest and I don't care what you peeps say - MM was a glorified h*e 40 something yrs ago....yes, she had a fab body and rocked her cellulite like a badge of honor but she was a slightly below average actress with a severe case of depression...she died b/c A - she killed herself or B - she banged the wrong married man (JFK) - who knows, my own mom wasn't even born then so I can't say for sure...KK is like the MM of today (sorry to say that a human toilet can get that famous) so I have a very small amount of respect for her (MM) in general...that said, Michelle is a good actress and genuinely likable but she should have popped a Valium, closed her eyes and opened her mouth if she wanted to capture MM In her true form

ojoba 1 year 36 weeks

Marilyn was a voluptuous,vivacious beauty with a daring sexuality and a hint of vulnerability.This imitation of her is a passive attempt,IMO.

noonehere 1 year 36 weeks

She looks amazing. She sounds brilliant! I cannot wait to see more of her!

bryseana 1 year 36 weeks

I agree, she does look like Lana! Can we get a movie about her for once? She had a pretty interesting life too!

arrowstraite 1 year 36 weeks

I'm not a Marilyn fan so I'm not sure how much she looks like her. What I do know is that trying to recreate the "look" of a classic star is a pointless effort that's been well demonstrated in recent years. Today's actresses do not have "it". That "it" that came from having to be awesome in a competitive field that paid a fraction of what they earn today. These people become stars to easily and will never have "it". But as long as the studios put all of their money into the actors and not the creative teams to produce great movies all you will see is "almost".

kissmestupid 1 year 36 weeks

I agree, tolerance, a blond Lana Turner, which isn't bad, except she's supposed to be Marilyn. A hair cut won't do it. And Michelle, STOP talking about Heath Ledger. You weren't together when he died. Stop endlessly circling that story. Yes, we know your daughter is his daughter, but she'll read all this one day and you sound like a sob sister with an agenda. Even Jennifer Hudson doesn't refer to her much greater tragedy with each interview. It's personal for her.

cupcakeemmi 1 year 36 weeks

This is the first interview from her I read. She seems cultured, intelligent and self-confident. Her sentences sound like she thinks before she speaks. It's nice to see a celebrity's vocabulary consists of words other than "like" and "you know". She sure has far more to offer than glamorous life with designer clothes. Wonderful interview.

dancing nancy 1 year 36 weeks

FAIL. she looks like lana turner.