In the early 1990s, the world fell in love with Mara Wilson, who became a child star thanks to her roles in the films “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “The Miracle on 34th Street.” Mara, 37, born in California, seemed destined for success, but as she got older, she stopped being “cute” and disappeared from the screens. “Hollywood focused on me,” she says. “If you’re not cute anymore, you don’t mean anything.” In 1993, at the age of five, Mara won the hearts of millions when she played Robin Williams’ youngest daughter in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” She had already appeared in commercials when she received an offer to star in one of the most successful films in Hollywood history. “My parents were proud, but they always reminded us, ‘We’re just actors and you’re still a kid,’” Mara says.
Losing her mother in 1996 while she was starring in Matilda had a huge impact on her life. “I really didn’t know who I was until Mom died,” she says. “It was very upsetting and I just wanted to be a normal kid.” During her time in the spotlight, she felt like she was living in extreme poverty under the watchful eye of the public.
She landed her last major role at age 11, but by then she was losing offers as she was going through puberty. “I was just this weird, loud girl who didn’t fit Hollywood standards,” she says.
By refusing that, she began to seriously consider her worth. “I realized that if you stop being cute, you’re doomed to fail,” she notes. But now, as a writer, Mara has written her first book, Where Am I Now?, in which she talks about her experiences and the challenges she faced as a child star.
In addition, Wilson runs her own blog on social media, where she actively communicates with fans and readers. Mara also has several podcasts, one of which is about cat care. In this podcast, she shares her experiences as a multiple-pet owner.
Her story raises important questions about beauty and success and shows how to rebuild self-esteem and understanding of one’s identity. What do you think of Mara’s story?
