People complain about Kristen's media interviews. Sometimes she comes off as ackward. When a press member ask "the question" which they know not to ask, these press members define Kristen as downright hostile.
Kristen is a saint to the media when compared to a young Sean Penn. Sean wouldn't give interviews, period. He went on David Letterman once, refused to engage with Letterman's tactics, and chain smoked the whole time (this was well past the point when it was OK to smoke on a talkshow --- and Penn seemed to be daring Letterman to confront him). The whole interview Letterman was walking on egg shells, not wanting to ignite Penn's well documented temper. Penn had a bad boy reputation. However, I think it was just as much about Penn being uncomfortable with the media and his immature way of dealing with it was by being hostile. He would not attend award shows. On at least one occasion, Penn was nominated for an Oscar and didn't even show. About 10 years ago, he really chilled out. With encouragement from guys like George Clooney and Kevin Spacey, Sean showed up to the Oscar Awards and took home the best actor award. Penn is still somewhat media shy when it comes to discussing his career. However he has become a heroic philanthropist and goes on CNN regularly to talk about the suffering still happening in Haiti and post Katrina New Orleans. One of the few bright spots from Katrina was hearing about Penn rescuing people himself in the days after Katrina. He flew down right after the storm, obtained a boat, didn't announce himself to the media, and was spotted making many trips, by himself, to rescue stranded people. That's a true Good Samaritan. Plus he donated millions. His efforts in Haiti were very similar. He was the bad boy turned hero.
Kristen, though uncomfortable with the media, soldiers through those interviews yet she is criticized way more than Penn ever was --- and only because certain topics are off the table. David Letterman treated her like dirt this past spring. If I ever see Letterman in person, he is going to have to deal with me for the way he bullied Kristen in that interview. He is not scared of a 20 year old girl as she can't kick his ass like Penn could have. He treated her like she is Paris Hilton when she is the polar opposite of that talentless, egotistical attention whore. Of course this interview happens not long after several of Dave's young former interns came forward regarding sexual harassment while under his employ --- all while he is a married man. No one talks about Letterman's misdeeds anymore. Every mistake Kristen makes is amplified and takes much longer to be forgiven.
I actually started this blog wanting to compare the personalities and talents that I find similar between Penn AND Kristen, but I ended up going off on a tangent.
Penn is very private, abundantly talented, AND passionate about his work. These are Kristen traits as well. Also, perhaps partially due to Penn's influence, Kristen was very generous with Haiti relief. She wrote a big check herself, plus gave three rich women a chance to hang out with her at the Sundance Film Festival if they made a certain high level contribution to Haiti relief. Not too many young movie stars would do that. Men were not invited. She is not stupid. She wouldn't torture Robert by having rich old men buying an afternoon of her company.
When Penn cast Kristen for into the Wild he was quoted and I have not been able to find those quotes (this time) so I am going to paraphrase. He said he was hesitant at first to cast her because she is too beautiful and he was afraid that would affect the authenticity of the story. But upon further consideration, he was trying to show the loving side of Chris McCandless, and Kristen's inner beauty was as powerful as her outer beauty. The sweetness and inner beauty that emanates from Kristen was just what the film needed.
This inner beauty about Kristen has been under attack since she became uber famous. Its so unfortunate. For those of us that pay attention to Kristen, we know that sweetness, that truly caring nature of hers, is there. She wears her heart on her sleeve, but unfortunately she was forced to protect herself to prevent her kindness from being exploited. Those very early Twilight interviews show that personality. It's too bad she must protect that side of herself now.
OK. This entry wavered a bit from original plan but I'll post as is.
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Location:S Congress Ave,Austin,United States
