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Carefully, Williams Opens Up

Actress gives first interview since Heath Ledger's death

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 7, 2008 1:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – In the wake of the media circus surrounding Heath Ledger's death, ex-fiancee Michelle Williams laid low and threw herself into her work, refusing all interviews until the New York Times recently sat down to discuss the four movies the actress has shot since last summer. "I don’t want to talk about my personal life, but it’s on my mind, and it’s in my work," Williams says.

“It’s a fine line between wanting to be known and understood but also knowing what’s sacred," says Williams, who sought out the refuge and intimacy of working on the Oregon-based independent film Wendy and Lucy, due out this winter. On continued tabloid interest in her life, Williams only says, "It feels so surreal. How is this my life? When did it get so out of control?”

Actress Michelle Williams and director Kelly Reichardt arrive for the premiere of Wendy and Lucy during the 61st International film festival in Cannes, southern France, on Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Actress Michelle Williams and director Kelly Reichardt arrive for the premiere of "Wendy and Lucy" during the 61st International film festival in Cannes, southern France, on Thursday, May 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
American actress Michelle Williams poses for the photo call for Synecdoche, New York during the 61st International film festival in Cannes, southern France, on Friday, May 23, 2008.
American actress Michelle Williams poses for the photo call for "Synecdoche, New York" during the 61st International film festival in Cannes, southern France, on Friday, May 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri)
Former fiancee and Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams, left, and sister Kate Ledger arrive at a memorial service for the late Heath Ledger in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.
Former fiancee and Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams, left, and sister Kate Ledger arrive at a memorial service for the late Heath Ledger in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Heath Ledger, right, and Michelle Williams arrive for the Australian premier of the movie Brokeback Mountain in Melbourne, in this Tuesday Jan. 10, 2006 file photo.
Heath Ledger, right, and Michelle Williams arrive for the Australian premier of the movie "Brokeback Mountain" in Melbourne, in this Tuesday Jan. 10, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Steve Holland, file)
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I’ve always had a tendency for darker, more lifelike material. I think I had this sense that important things are heavy things. I don’t know if that’s true any more. - Michelle Williams, on why her next role might be in a comedy

I’m going to take a year off. I think I stopped feeling creative a while ago, and I’m just realizing it now. - Michelle Williams, on her plans for the near future

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
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