Australian actress Rose Byrne has candidly discussed the profound challenges of motherhood, describing it as a journey accompanied by feelings of shame and a sense of losing part of oneself. The 46-year-old star, who shares two sons, Rocco and Rafael, with her long-term partner Bobby Cannavale, opened up in a recent interview with The Times.
Motherhood's Emotional Complexities
While promoting her new 'mum noir' film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Byrne reflected on how her character's experiences resonate with her own parenting reality. She explained that the relentless demands of raising children can sometimes cause parents to lose perspective, making it difficult to see their offspring as distinct individuals.
'That's totally an experience I've had as a parent and there is shame you feel around that,' Byrne revealed. She elaborated further, 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.'
The actress emphasised that this sense of loss is natural and should be acknowledged. 'It's OK to grieve that — in fact, we should. Because it's a before and an after,' she added, highlighting the transformative nature of parenthood.
Historic Oscar Recognition
This personal revelation comes alongside significant professional recognition for Byrne, who recently received her first-ever Academy Award nomination. Following her Golden Globes victory, she is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.
'I can't believe it. I feel like I've snuck into the back of the bus,' she told The Hollywood Reporter, expressing her astonishment at the nomination. 'The thought of the legacy and the pageantry and the scale of it, it's impossible to not have that value.'
Byrne acknowledged the weight of Oscar tradition, noting: 'Of course, that huge kind of legacy and tradition of this ceremony is just undeniable, so to be a small part of that is unbelievable.'
Family Life and Competition
In a lighter moment, Byrne provided an update on her family's new pet bearded dragon, acquired by Cannavale and their children while she attended the Golden Globes. 'He's doing well! It's for the kids. The kids are very happy,' she shared.
During her Golden Globes acceptance speech, Byrne had humorously explained her husband's absence: 'Thanks to my husband Bobby. He isn't here because we're getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey.'
The Oscar race presents strong competition for Byrne, who faces fellow nominees including:
- Jessie Buckley for Hamnet
- Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue
- Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone for Bugonia
Byrne previously triumphed over both Stone and Hudson at the Golden Globes, winning Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Australian Representation at the Oscars
Fellow Australian actor Jacob Elordi has also earned his first Oscar nomination, recognised in the Actor in a Supporting Role category for his performance in Frankenstein. He competes against:
- Benicio del Toro for One Battle After Another
- Delroy Lindo for Sinners
- Sean Penn for One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value
Record-Breaking Nominations
Ryan Coogler's film Sinners has made Academy Awards history by earning sixteen nominations, the highest number ever received by a single film. This breaks the previous record of fourteen nominations, jointly held by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016).
Sinners is among ten films competing for Best Picture, alongside:
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Train Dreams
The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony promises to be a landmark event, celebrating both artistic achievement and personal stories like Byrne's that resonate with audiences worldwide.
