Matilda's Mara Wilson on childhood stardom

Shortly after the release of the 1996 film “Matilda”, Mara Wilson was forced to grow up much faster than other children. In her new memoir she lays bare the struggles of dealing with her mother's death at a young age, growing older and attaining peace. Wilson joins guest host Candy Palmater to discuss the book “Where am I now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame”, which explores her coming of age in the public eye.
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[@pinkunicornglitter]

I don't think Mara realises that SHE made Matilda. You can only give so much credit to a character, the actress who portrays the character gives their unique take and that's what makes it so special. Matilda would not have been as popular had Mara not have been such an great actress. I see Mara as funny, charming and inspirational , and as fine example of a strong woman, -it even comes across in her writing. She may not have the same "magical powers" as the character but there is definitely something magical about her, and no, that's nothing to do with watching Matilda, that's from watching this interview.

[@SailorMoonFan92]

Well actually no, it was Danny DeVito (the director) who made Mara act and portray the character as she did. The one thing that made Mara quit acting was that there was no freedom to act how she wanted. As she said herself: ''Film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again until, in the director's eyes, you 'get it right', does not allow for very much creative freedom. The best times I had on film sets were the times the director let me express myself, but those were rare."

[@smoothcriminal28]

She's so articulate and quick minded.

[@WWETHROWBACKWILSON]

Yeah! U don’t get that a lot in celebrities. They either stutter or use the word “um” a lot! I like seeing interviews where, it’s very detailed and educational

[@horrorshock666]

And it's so sad to hear her talk about her looks when she looks perfectly fine and isn't ugly in any way at all. She's so sweet and seems like she had such a difficult time which is a shame considering how wonderful an actress she was and how the industry is so cruel.

[@Sejexs]

I think she's a cutie pie. Maybe that's just the strength, intellect, and inspiration, though.

[@Sejexs]

She speaks so fluidly, descriptively, and confidently. God damn.

[@gizmoalexi]

People should not be so rude

[@ShiftEnigma]

What the fuck is that buble-gum ice-cream hair? Is this how beta-males get puss? Is it effective?

[@klassicalmuzik]

The Lost Boy I personally think she's stunning. She's beautiful inside and out

[@chrisjones5519]

Holy cow...Mara hit me close to home when she talked about being alone in a house full of boys after her mom died. In my case, I was a boy and my dad died when I was young and I grew up in a house full of girls. I had that overwhelming sense of lonelyness and unhappiness.

[@cristi0771]

Her voice is so calming, so pretty.

[@lisamcdonald1014]

She had retired from acting in 2000 after “Thomas and the Magic Railroad”

[@beeman2075]

Mara seems very grounded, very smart, and with a warm personality - and she is also very pretty. She is a very good writer, and her published words are a pleasure to read. Wishing her nothing but happiness in life and success with her writing.

[@weathersytv3572]

One of the few celebrities that hasn't totally lost her shit from being a child actress. Much respect to her.

[@klassicalmuzik]

I love Mara Wilson. She’s so smart, beautiful, tenacious, and she has such a wonderful spirit. It’s sad that she’s critical of the way she looks, because she’s beautiful. And the way she speaks, she’s so eloquent. Never once did I hear her say “um”.

[@jlion31685]

No but tabefaiirr she says “and” a lot

[@klassicalmuzik]

@@jlion31685 “and” is a common word.

[@GertrudeFinkleberg]

Watched this movie a million times as a kid. I would watch this every weekend and maybe every other night in the summer time.

[@Burps___]

I loved her as the youngest child of Mrs. Doubtfire.

[@lisamcdonald1014]

Me too

[@alyssajones4368]

Mara Wilson, Brenda Song, The Mowry twin sisters, Raven Symone, and Hilary Duff are some of the very few child stars who didn't end up as trainwrecks in the entertainment industry. Kudos to them for having a staunch support team; keeping them well grounded all the way into adulthood.

[@WWETHROWBACKWILSON]

That is awesome! It’s all about ur foundation! And it all starts in the home!

[@alyssajones4368]

@@WWETHROWBACKWILSON BIG facts!

[@klassicalmuzik]

Fairuza Balk too

[@alyssajones4368]

@@klassicalmuzik Oh yes, nearly forgot about her. She was hilarious in "The Waterboy".

[@klassicalmuzik]

@@alyssajones4368 yes! Anything film she’s in she always gives amazing performances. Absolutely loved her in Gas Food Lodging (1992). The Waterboy is a unique film of hers because it shows versatility in her acting abilities. Before that, most people only knew her for dark roles (that’s to The Craft), but The Waterboy allowed her to show her lighter side.

[@carolan9740]

Cindy Palmater is a great host- very empathetic and real

[@CoffeeQueen03]

I truly look up to Mara and this interviewer was really good, I love how she actually listened to the things Mara had to say and didn't ask invasive questions. Two lovely people

[@leahlurie4315]

Mara Wilson is literally my role model

[@richdog490]

I always love hearing Mara Wilson talk about herself! What a marvelously perspicacious and intelligent and interesting person she has become :)

[@bigginsd1]

My Mum is English and is very resistant to American adaptations of British stories. She can’t stand the Disney version of Winnie the Pooh for example. I think Matilda is one of the few American adaptations of a British author’s work that she was full of praise for. It perfectly transplanted the story whilst capturing the essence of what made it special. My wife is very intelligent and gifted, I was happy to find out it was also one of her favourite novels as a child too. The book’s message of a little girl fighting anti-intellectualism and acquiring knowledge until it started to develop into a form of superpower was such a great message.

[@horrorshock666]

She looks so different (obviously) but it's so good that she didn't go the way most child actors go and mess it up. She seems very smart and although it sounds like she had a lot of typecasting from Matilda and a love/hate relationship she seems to understand it was her springboard instead of a lot of child actors who resent their past work. Very sad about her mum and the issues she had as well 😭

[@lisamcdonald1014]

Suzie Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 10th, 1995, after spotting a lump on her breast one day whilst she was in the shower

[@trashtvinternational]

Very interesting. She sounds very smart. I love this radio station

[@LakhnBer]

The fame machine has wrecked so many psyches: everyone must hope that the one who did such a terrific job acting as a kid is now truly the intelligent, levelheaded person we hear in this interview. I have to find that book!

[@dakotasings666]

Robert Spector couldn't have said it better myself mate.

[@YourFellowRNRSisterFan98]

That’s why she was so great as Matilda and I love Mara I remember her in a lot of things. I wonder what she’s gonna say or think about the new movie.

[@KyleMUC]

She has no idea I exist but yet she feels like a sister I never had. Mara, I’m sorry you were in the spotlight against your will but thank you for utilizing your strength, intelligence and openness to continue bringing light into the world. 🤗

[@princkleminckle1159]

mara will always be the true matilda in my eyes

[@lisamcdonald1014]

Amen 🙏

[@CarlyneDTQTonPod]

Adult Mara still has that sweet pretty smile 💕 so sad I had no idea about her mom passing away before the movie Matilda came out.🤍 she’s so talented and intelligent.

[@EvorGhost09]

Still crushin on Mara😍

[@ellisholden2546]

juan munoz Boy, this is my turf

[@zzaacchh]

Still? As in when she was a kid?

[@EvorGhost09]

@@ellisholden2546 kick rocks shes mine

[@EvorGhost09]

@@zzaacchh pretty sure thats what still means😂

[@ellisholden2546]

@@zzaacchh Nah Nah Nah as an adult. lets just clear that up real fast XD

[@caitrionawallace6071]

She sounds like kate winslets american voice in eternal sunshine of a spotless mind now i can't stop thinking of it!

[@lisamcdonald1014]

Me too

[@winday191]

I loved the movie Matilda (and the book) and I really loved the movie A Simple Wish. Not as well know as Matilda but it was great.

[@hillarytran1240]

This was a wonderful interview to watch

[@kelliemalone8916]

What an awesome spirit she embodies. Lovely

[@nicholasshay3296]

i'm so sorry about your mother.

[@thesudriana016]

If anyone's wondering of which part did she talk about her voice role on Thomas & the Magic Railroad, it's at 10:44 And also, Mara Wilson is still a great actor, and she really did an amazing job as her role of Lily on that movie, alongside Alec Baldwin as Mr. C, and the late Peter Fonda as Burnett Stone (despite the criticism he got, unless anyone checks the original script).

[@klassicalmuzik]

Don’t forget about Russell Means who played Billy Twofeathers. People might know him best for voicing Chief Powhatan in Disneys Pocahontas. But his performance in Thomas is very underrated.

[@OsirisMalkovich]

Love Mara Wilson on the podcast _Welcome to Night Vale._

[@a.m.4216]

wow such a good interview

[@klassicalmuzik]

I like how Mara says she always imagined her mother being played by Francis McDoorman in a movie. I always imagined my mother being played by Kate Winslet.

[@LY22235.]

My mom Goldie Hawn for sure!

[@tommacdonald2113]

She has an incredible voice.

[@lisamcdonald1014]

Yep, she had grown up so beautiful

[@ahappyacident8467]

her voice sounds so soothing

[@efeklau6502]

Can I have her as my english teacher?

[@LY22235.]

Very intelligent articulate girl. She just doesn’t seem to be someone you could “hang out” with. Because she is so smart. I am glad that she is doing so well.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

She actually has a quirky personality among friends. She recently did a KZbin video with the star of *Kim Possible* and Mara made me chuckle several times.

[@ania5038]

Great interview!

[@allanmollison6971]

She seems so lovely ❤️ hearing her makes me think of Army from Big bang theory, she could've played Amy's sister.

[@JaredGriffiths2000]

I'm British and I love the Matilda movie even though it's Americanized. Miss Trunchball was still British in the movie though.

[@keatsgipsy9991]

What a wonderful interview 🌟 Where can you find her blog?

[@ada17890]

Happy birthday Mara

[@iknowexactlywhoyouare8701]

She would’ve made an amazing Ramona in a 90s Ramona and Beezus movie

[@GalekC]

This video makes me feel a deep sense of happiness, just sayin’

[@Nabeelco]

I gotta say Candy Palmater is a MUCH better interviewer than Shad.

[@crystalchampion9617]

Mara Wilson is so pretty

[@mindyzipperstein6957]

I love the movie Matilda

[@saphiregolden613]

I love Matilda♡♡♡♡😍😍😍💖💖💖

[@Th3BATWhoWinz83]

Beautiful and smart

[@pjewellful2012]

I mean she contradicts herself openly. She clearly got something out of Hollywood so I don’t think her story is all that big of a deal. It’s pros and cons to fame but she seems to have liked doing a lot of these films, unlike some child stars who were absolutely forced to. I think she had a pretty good life all in all everyone has adversity and some levels of dysfunction growing up. But hers isn’t that bad at all I know tons of people who would have traded places for her childhood.

[@angelaschultz4981]

Mara Wilson is a wonderful actress

[@BeautifulAwakening]

I like her 😊

[@jamesscott1811]

*I love the name Matilda*

[@maliajones3583]

lovely lady

[@gianmaruca4010]

Can we see more movies Mara

[@oandhworkouts7637]

I love you all

[@user-kf7xi4xr6f]

IlOVE YOU

[@JoseLopez-kt2ug]

she's pretty

[@songandstoriesgirl7200]

Wow

[@SamarkandChan]

Tim Minchin was born in Northampton, but I see what she means.

[@nicholasshay3296]

god you have a beautiful soul

[@elizafern3139]

😘❤👍👍👍

[@silver5067]

Pois eu acho a Mara Wilson hoje muito mais linda que muitas atrizes consideradas belas aos padrões americanos. Eu nunca achei o padrão de beleza das mulheres americanas lindo, essas mulheres americanas são muito magrelas. Pra mim a Mara Wilson é muito mais linda que elas.

[@mariakm100]

She look like lauran z side Except lauren has purple hair

[@priscillaribeiro1988]

She still kinda talks the same as she did as a child like with a small lisp but in a good way

[@lisamcdonald1014]

She has gotten over the lisp

[@smoothcriminal28]

She looks so differentz

[@DanielBMaximoff]

Matilda encourage me to read and boycott Hollywood.

[@katokato9318]

Sleeping dogs

[@copacetic9018]

she's got johnny-bravo-jaw.

[@lamicte2007]

i cannot unsee this 😂

[@silver5067]

Pois eu acho a Mara Wilson hoje muito mais linda que muitas atrizes consideradas belas aos padrões americanos. Eu nunca achei o padrão de beleza das mulheres americanas lindo, essas mulheres americanas são muito magrelas. Pra mim a Mara Wilson é muito mais linda que elas.

[@silver5067]

Pois eu acho a Mara Wilson hoje muito mais linda que muitas atrizes consideradas belas aos padrões americanos. Eu nunca achei o padrão de beleza das mulheres americanas lindo, essas mulheres americanas são muito magrelas. Pra mim a Mara Wilson é muito mais linda que elas.