Saoirse Ronan says her mother protected her from being a victim of Hollywood abuse

Actress Saoirse Ronan has said that it is because of her mother that she was protected from abusive behaviour in Hollywood.

The three-time Oscar-nominated actress is the cover star of this months issue of Harper’s Bazaar, where she opens up about her mother’s influence saying: “I’m sure I would have been exposed to that quite a bit, but she just protected me from all that. I wasn’t unaware that there were people in the industry who abused their power, or who were seedy or untrustworthy but because of her I was never a victim and I’m very, very thankful.

I didn’t leave home at 19 all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — I hadn’t been wrapped in cotton wool — but I had been protected.”

Ronan told the magazine that her mother accompanied her continuously when she was working as a child and that they both keep in constant contact through Facetime.

The actress also spoke out about Brexit and the border issue which she feared would rehash past violence and divisions, describing it “a mess”.

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Ronan said she gained a new understanding of the border question herself through her friend and fellow actress Eileen O’ Higgins who hails from County Down. “One of my friends, Eileen, is from Down, in Northern Ireland; even I didn’t fully appreciate what the reality of it was.”

Adding, “no matter what side you’re on in the North, nobody wants to go back to that.”

Ronan also spoke of her eagerness to direct saying that she “always” wanted to be a director, “I was more drawn to that as a kid than I was to acting. I love working with actors, but I always learn the most from the directors. It’s their vision you’re bringing to life, you have to adapt to their way of working. I like having to stretch myself to fit in with their requirements.”

She is currently starring in Mary Queen of Scots alongside Australian actress Margot Robbie and will also appear in the film adaption of literary classic Little Women which will be released later this year.

Image: Harper’s Bazaar