Mia Wasikowska's journey in the entertainment industry took an unexpected turn as she decided to distance herself from the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown.
Despite achieving success with iconic roles, particularly in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," Wasikowska gradually moved away from blockbuster projects and eventually bid farewell to Hollywood. Her departure, however, was not due to a lack of talent or opportunities but rather stemmed from a profound sense of regret that lingered within her.
Beginning her career with notable teenage roles in Australian productions, including the horror film "Underwater Terror," Wasikowska swiftly garnered attention in Hollywood. Her breakthrough came with Disney's remake of "Alice in Wonderland," a box office phenomenon that propelled her into the spotlight.
Subsequently, she collaborated with renowned directors like Gus Van Sant, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Guillermo del Toro, leaving an indelible mark with films such as "Jane Eyre," "Only Lovers Left Alive," and "The Scarlet Summit."
However, as the mid-2010s unfolded, Wasikowska's presence in top-tier films dwindled, and her projects received limited attention. In a 2023 interview with IndieWire, she revealed that the challenges of managing fame and adapting to the Hollywood lifestyle, particularly during her teenage years, became overwhelming.
Juggling constant relocation, changing lifestyles with each project, and lacking a stable foundation led her to feel disconnected and burdened, especially after the immense fame thrust upon her at the age of 20 with "Alice in Wonderland."
"I spent 10 to 15 years moving every three months to a new city or a new country, and it's like starting school all over again every few months. Especially when you're younger, when you don't have that foundation, I found it really difficult," explained Wasikowska.
In a December 2022 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, she acknowledged the advantages Hollywood brought but expressed that personal fulfillment outweighed the rewards. Faced with the industry's demands, she found the compromises and image-centric expectations stifling. Wasikowska admitted, "To a certain extent, you have to be willing to play that game a little bit, and you have to accept it, and I feel like I have done that, and the reward is not worth it."
Choosing a quieter life, Wasikowska returned to her native Australia, settling in the town of Brontë, New South Wales. Preferring a more tranquil professional life, she now focuses on projects from other cinema industries, including Australian and European films. While the possibility of her participating in small independent Hollywood projects aligned with her current philosophy of life remains open, a return to the glitz and pressures of major titles seems unlikely for now.
