In an interview with the New York Times on September 6, 2022, Julia Roberts opened up about the challenges of filming during the pandemic and the loneliness she experienced while having to quarantine on her own. Roberts, who is known for her roles in hit films such as “Pretty Woman” and “Erin Brockovich,” shared that the quarantine period was the longest she had ever been away from her family.
“We were in a bubble, and it’s the longest I’ve ever been away from my family. I don’t think I’ve spent that much time by myself since I was 25,” said Roberts in the interview. However, she went on to say that her co-star, George Clooney, and his family saved her from “complete loneliness and despair.”
Clooney, who is known for his roles in films such as “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Gravity,” went on to explain the situation further. He said that while his wife Amal and 5-year-old twins Ella and Alexander had joined him during filming, Roberts hadn’t. He shared that they started filming in Hamilton Island and Roberts had a house just below theirs. They would often have coffee together in the morning, with Clooney’s kids calling her “Aunt Juju.”
Despite the personal challenges, there were still moments of fun on set. The two friends were able to share a laugh when recalling a kissing scene they had to film for the movie. “I told my wife, ‘It took 80 takes,’” Clooney joked. “She was like, ‘What the hell?’” Roberts added that the scene was difficult to film because they were such good friends.
Despite the support of her co-stars, Roberts’ husband and children still had to fly into Sydney and quarantine for two weeks before they could see her.
The pandemic has presented many challenges for actors, who have had to adapt to new filming protocols and the isolation of quarantine. However, it is clear that the support of friends and family can make all the difference in getting through these difficult times.
