HOMECOMING Sought After Actress Julia Roberts talks ageism in Hollywood and why she calls Manchester United her Home Team

This Friday’s i newspaper features actress Julia Roberts, who opens up about her views on ageing, the development of equal pay for women and ageism in Hollywood.

Interview highlights:

On the age discrimination towards women in Hollywood “I think that’s made-up bullshit that at a certain age, the bell is going to ring and you are done, go on back home. It’s silly and I don’t think anybody buys into that. I don’t think I am special. I’ve always been fortunate that I have always found the work I am looking for. I mean, 30 years is a long time and I am grateful and satisfied.”

On her positivity around turning 50 “That was last year, and I’m about to turn 51,” [points out the actress who celebrates her birthday on 28 October]. “But honestly, I don’t know what freak-out we’re all supposed to have turning 50? Wouldn’t it be fun if they made up all these things to make us feel overly excited about these little passages? For myself, Iast year, I was quite proud and happy.”

On the steps being taken for equal pay for women “It’s an ongoing thing that we wish was more in the rear view. But every day… today I know the World Surfing League announced that they will have equal pay for their female surfers and male surfers. And Manchester United has a female team that started this year. I think there are places where people are really making those efforts in the right direction. So if it’s a little bit of time, then we have to take it and be happy for it.”

On why she supports Manchester United [She is on safer ground with football, and specifically Manchester United.] “That’s our home team, that’s who we cheer for in our house. My oldest son got into that and it’s always been his team,” [she says of son Finn, 13, whose dreams came true when he, his twin sister Hazel and younger brother Henry, 11 were allowed to kick around the ball post-game at Old Trafford with his twin sister Hazel and younger brother Henry, 11.]

On her new upcoming role in psychological/military industrial thriller, Homecoming [It is], “a great old-fashioned yarn set in this really modern conundrum of a morality play,” [says Roberts]. “I heard the podcast and, many months later, I got a call about getting together with Sam Esmail [Mr Robot]. We had a Facetime meeting and I fell under the spell of his unique, nerdy genius. He's a total treasure and I loved every minute we spent together creatively and socially.”

“This in an extract from the full interview with Julia Roberts, available to read in this Friday’s issue of the i newspaper.”

The full interview appears in this Friday’s issue of the i newspaper, out on 26th October 2018.