Rose Byrne Hails Motherhood as Her 'Greatest Role' in Life
In a striking and glamorous cover shoot for Tatler, acclaimed actress Rose Byrne has candidly reflected on her experiences of motherhood, branding it "the greatest role of my life." The 46-year-old star, who recently received her first-ever Oscar nomination for the drama film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, emphasised that being a mother surpasses even her professional achievements.
Empowering Yet Challenging Journey
Speaking exclusively to Tatler, Rose described parenting as profoundly nourishing and empowering, but also acknowledged the inherent grief that accompanies it. "It's so corny to say, but of course it is. It's so nourishing, it's empowering, but there is a grief to it," she revealed. She further elaborated that even those who might seem natural at parenting find it incredibly hard, calling it "the greatest story."
Rose shares two sons, Rocco, born in 2016, and Rafael, born in 2017, with her long-term partner, fellow actor Bobby Cannavale. The couple, who met through mutual friends in 2012 after knowing each other socially for years, lead a relatively ordinary family life despite their high-profile careers. "We go home and it's very like, 'Hey, who's gonna do the dishes?'" she quipped, highlighting the everyday realities of their household.
Glamorous Tatler Shoot and Personal Reflections
For the Tatler cover shoot, Rose looked sensational in a variety of stunning outfits. She donned a cream satin one-shouldered gown with ruching and floral applique, lounging elegantly on a stairwell. In a black-and-white spread, she opted for a period look featuring a corseted gown adorned with tulle ruffles and feathers, paired with a tiered skirt. Her final ensemble was a bejewelled brown high-neck dress with diamante tassels and wide-arm sleeves, showcasing her timeless style.
Reflecting on the challenges of motherhood, Rose recently opened up about feelings of shame and a sense of losing part of oneself. In discussing her film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, she related to her character's maternal struggles, noting that the constant demands of parenting can sometimes cause children to "lose their shape," blurring a parent's ability to see them as distinct individuals. "That's totally an experience I've had as a parent and there is shame you feel around that," she told The Times.
Balancing Career and Family Amid Oscar Buzz
Rose continued to delve into the emotional complexities, stating, "You don't want to feel like you don't love your child, but there is a grief around becoming a mother, because you lose part of yourself that you will never, ever, ever, ever, ever get back. It's OK to grieve that — in fact, we should. Because it's a before and an after." This introspection comes as she celebrates her first Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, following her Golden Globes win.
Expressing disbelief at the nomination, Rose told The Hollywood Reporter, "I can't believe it. I feel like I've snuck into the back of the bus." She acknowledged the immense legacy and tradition of the Oscars, feeling honoured to be a small part of it. In a lighter moment, she gave an update on the family's new pet bearded dragon, acquired by Bobby and their kids while she attended the Globes. "He's doing well! It's for the kids. The kids are very happy," she added.
During her Golden Globes acceptance speech, Rose revealed that her brother George was her date, as Bobby was absent due to a quirky reason: "He isn't here because we're getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey." She now faces stiff competition at the Oscars, contending with fellow nominees like Jessie Buckley, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone.
The full feature is available in the April Issue of Tatler, released via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday, 12th March.
