Michelle Monaghan

By: Interview by Sonja Magdevski | Photographs by Jeff Lipsky | October 08, 2009 |

What are your criteria for choosing a role?
I choose by doing something I have never done before. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to do a lot of different things creatively and to work in different genres. The roles are out there, but it is just a matter of waiting for the right one. The biggest challenge for me right now is finding something that really inspires me to go back to work and leave my daughter for a bit.

Are you happy that you’ve made this career move?
I wouldn’t do anything else. Acting is the greatest thing I have ever done besides having a baby.

And you had no idea.
No, I had no idea. My only experience was in a high school play, and I remember I loved being on stage. It is the most remarkable feeling, and I will be chasing that feeling for as long as everyone will let me.

What has prepared you for all of this? There must be a fearlessness about you.
Oh, yeah. I am pretty fearless. Anything that remotely feels like a challenge or something that I initially shy away from, I immediately know I have to go out and tackle it.

Have you always been like that?
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. (She laughs at the self-realization). Yes. It is important. I mean, I don’t want to say that I am never going to come up against something that will take me down, but I learn so much about myself by putting myself in situations that aren’t comfortable. I don’t have anything to lose except having the regret that I didn’t do it in the first place. I know that sounds really cliché, but that is the only way to go.

How much would you say having a successful relationship plays a part in it?
No question about it — it plays a massive role. My husband is a remarkable, remarkable man. He has given me the freedom to pursue every whim, and he really has given me the freedom to fly.

How did you meet?
We met at a bar in New York City. How else do you meet an Aussie? We go back to the same bar on our anniversary every now and then.

Did he buy you a drink?
Yes, he did. He bought me a few! He had me laughing within five minutes of meeting him, and he still has me laughing to this day.

Do you think you’ll have more children?
Absolutely. Not today, but …

You’ve had so many unique working experiences. Do you have a favorite?
Honestly, all of them have been amazing. I am really proud of Trucker on so many levels. I have been able to make studio movies I really love, and I have been able to balance that with independent movies. Currently, I am working on developing a thriller from a book I optioned. I hate to compare movies, so I won’t go any further about that. I also hope to throw some theater into the mix, as well.

Going back to your roots?
Yes! I have that feeling again where I would like to be put up to the task.