Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Jaymes Stewart, born on April 9, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress renowned for her diverse roles across various genres. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, Stewart began her acting career at a young age. She gained early recognition for her role as the daughter of Jodie Foster's character in David Fincher's thriller "Panic Room" (2002) at the age of 12.
Stewart's career continued to flourish with roles in films like "Zathura: A Space Adventure" (2005) and "Into the Wild" (2007). However, it was her portrayal of Bella Swan in "The Twilight Saga" film series (2008–2012) that catapulted her to global stardom. The franchise achieved immense commercial success, and Stewart's performance earned her the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2010.
Following her success in mainstream cinema, Stewart ventured into independent productions, opting for more nuanced and challenging roles. Notable films during this period include the dramas "Camp X-Ray" (2014), "Still Alice" (2014), and "Equals" (2016). She received critical acclaim for her role in Olivier Assayas' drama "Clouds of Sils Maria" (2014), which earned her the prestigious César Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Stewart continued to showcase her versatility in Assayas' supernatural thriller "Personal Shopper" (2016) and marked her directorial debut with the short film "Come Swim" (2017). She later returned to mainstream cinema with leading roles in the action film "Charlie's Angels" (2019) and the romantic comedy "Happiest Season" (2020).
In 2021, Stewart garnered widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales, in Pablo Larraín's biographical drama "Spencer." Her performance earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, further solidifying her status as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
Kristen Stewart was born on April 9, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, to parents deeply involved in the entertainment industry. Her father, John Stewart, works as a stage manager and television producer, while her mother, Jules Mann-Stewart, is an Australian-born script supervisor and filmmaker. Jules was adopted by a Jewish couple, Norma and Ben Urman, in 1953, and a DNA test revealed that one of Kristen's biological maternal grandparents was Ashkenazi Jewish. Kristen has an older brother named Cameron B. Stewart, as well as two adopted brothers, Dana and Taylor.
Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Stewart attended local schools until the seventh grade. As her passion for acting grew, she continued her education through distance learning until she graduated from high school. Interestingly, despite her upbringing in a family deeply involved in the entertainment industry, Stewart initially did not aspire to become an actor. She envisioned herself as a screenwriter or director, never seeking the spotlight. In her own words, she said, "I never wanted to be the center of attention—I wasn't that 'I want to be famous, I want to be an actor' kid. I never sought out acting, but I always practiced my autograph because I love pens. I'd write my name on everything."
Kristen Stewart's acting career began at the age of eight when an agent noticed her performance in her elementary school's Christmas play. After a year of auditioning, she landed her first role with a small, nonspeaking part in the Disney Channel television film The Thirteenth Year. Subsequently, she appeared as the "ring toss girl" in The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas and portrayed the tomboy daughter of a troubled single mother in the independent film The Safety of Objects.
Stewart gained wider recognition for her role as the diabetic daughter of a divorced mother in the thriller Panic Room, directed by David Fincher. Her performance earned her a nomination for a Young Artist Award. She continued to build her resume with roles in thrillers such as Cold Creek Manor, Catch That Kid, and Undertow.
At the age of thirteen, Stewart starred in the television film Speak, based on the novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, portraying a high school freshman who stops speaking after being raped. Her performance received widespread acclaim, with The New York Times praising her portrayal of a character filled with pain and turmoil.
Stewart's career continued to flourish as she appeared in films like Zathura: A Space Adventure, Fierce People, and The Messengers. She also took on roles in romantic dramas such as In the Land of Women and Into the Wild, the latter earning her mixed reviews.
Throughout her early career, Stewart received praise for her performances, with critics noting her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters. Despite her young age, she demonstrated versatility and maturity in her roles, establishing herself as a promising talent in the film industry.
Kristen Stewart's portrayal of Bella Swan in the Twilight series, beginning with the first film released in 2008, garnered mixed reviews from critics. While some praised her as the ideal casting choice and commended her for conveying Bella's emotions effectively, others criticized her acting for being wooden and lacking variety in expressions.
In Adventureland (2009), Stewart received praise for her performance as Em, with critics highlighting her ability to bring depth and complexity to the character. Her portrayal was described as appealing, enigmatic, and vulnerable, with her eyes conveying intricate emotions.
Stewart reprised her role as Bella Swan in New Moon (2009) and Eclipse (2010), the sequels to Twilight. While some critics praised her for adding weight and depth to her character's dialogue and psychological struggles, others found her portrayal of Bella's emotions wearisome and criticized her performance for draining energy from the films.
Overall, Stewart's performances in the Twilight series received mixed reviews, with some critics appreciating her interpretation of the character while others felt it fell short of expectations.
References
- Chew-Bose, Durga (July 30, 2019). "Kristen Stewart Talks Charlie's Angels, Her Relationships, and Leaving Twilight in the Past". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ "Jules Stewart wants to emerge from 'Twilight' shadow". Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ Affirmed by Stewart during an interview with The Project, an Australian TV program, on June 14th, 2012; viewable at "Kristen Stewart on The Project (Australia) June 14th", at the timestamp 02:48
- a b "Kristen Stewart's parents divorcing". The Sydney Morning Herald. September 3, 2012. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Stated by Stewart on The Howard Stern Show, national radio syndication, November 5, 2019; can be viewed at "Kristen Stewart no Howard Stern Show (LEGENDADO)", at 23:30
- ^ Fortini, Amanda (May 5, 2010). "Kristen Stewart: ELLE's June cover girl on relationships, privacy, and her critics". Elle. New York City: Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on June 18, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Kristen Stewart Interview, The Messengers". MoviesOnline. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ^ Hopper, Dennis (October 1, 2009). "Kristen Stewart". Interview. New York City: Crystal Ball Media. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ Biography Today. Detroit: Omnigraphics. 2010. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-7808-1058-7.
- ^ "Girls of Fall: Autumn's Crop of Enchanting Entertainers". WWD. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on October 3, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- a b "Kristen Stewart". AskMen.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- a b "Biography Today", p.158
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (September 5, 2005). "For One Teenager, the Party's Over". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (November 11, 2005). "From Suburbia and Stranded Somewhere Near Saturn". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2014.