The film marked the consecration of the actress worldwide, however, it was also the beginning of the end. Additionally, she confessed to having been abused by men in the industry.
In 1999, she released the film American Beauty, which quickly became a cult film. In addition, it meant the worldwide consecration of actress Mena Suvari, who was only 19 years old at the time.
She, along with the protagonist Kevin Spacey, had the full approval of critics who praised both her work and the film in general.
She had already obtained some recognition thanks to films like American Pie and Loser, however, after her great performance in American Beauty, Mena Suvari would experience a series of personal controversies that would keep her away from the screen and end up being a big debacle. in her career.
In her autobiography titled The Great Peace: A Memoir, the actress recounted that she walked away from the film industry because of her problems with "addictions, alcohol and partying." Furthermore, she confessed that she was abused since she was 12 years old.
"Between the ages of 12 and 20, I was a victim of continuous abuse. Part of me died that day. I could never see s-x as something healthy," she said in the book, detailing that her abuser was a person close to her family. and that her entire school found out and blamed her.
"This incident shattered my life. It was an undeniable confirmation that no one was coming to my rescue, and no one would take action on my behalf," revealed Mena Suvari, reflecting on a pivotal moment that shaped her perception of the world.
At the tender age of 15, she encountered the person who would eventually become her manager. By the time she turned 17, Suvari delved into various projects, eventually landing a role in American Beauty at the age of 19. However, she candidly admitted to being subject to s----l exploitation by multiple men within the industry.
"I resorted to self-medication with anything I could find; my sole focus was on survival. A destructive spiral took hold until I discovered solace in acting. I realized I had to channel all my energy into that, and nothing else, to avoid a tragic outcome. Fortunately, I possessed the strength to make that decision at that critical moment," expressed actress Mena Suvari.
