Here's why Diane Kruger says 'everything changed' when she became a mom: 'It’s such a cliché, but it’s true'
Diane Kruger is opening up about how life has changed — both personally and professionally — since becoming a mom.
In a new interview with Women’s Health, Kruger also makes it clear why being a working mom is so much more rewarding when you’re working with other working moms — as she does in her upcoming film, The 355, which boasts a female-led cast and creative team including Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o, Fan Bingbing and Jessica Chastain, who is also a producer on the film.
“One thing that was wonderful about this film was that many of us were mothers,” said Kruger. “We were allowed to bring our children to set and had a trailer for the kids. That was a lovely thing, where you can sense that the producer is a woman with a child.”
“It felt great to work with girls, and there was no weirdness on-set,” she added. “Jessica [Chastain] made sure all of the actresses were paid the same; we all own a piece of the movie. Regardless of how the film does, it was one of the most complete experiences. Being able to be heard and valued is so important — not just in what I do, but everywhere.”
Aside from those benefits, Kruger says since giving birth to her daughter, 3, in 2018, she's gained a new perspective on life — and, even more so, how to approach a work-life balance.
“Everything changed with motherhood — it’s such a cliché, but it’s true,” she explained. “The way I look at work is different. I love to work; in fact, I cherish it more today than I did before, but at the same time, you look at everything from a different angle. It’s not: What’s it going to do for my career? It’s more about: Could it fit into my schedule? How can I make it work? Is it going to be worthwhile?”
These days, Kruger takes her daughter everywhere — including on her jobs, even if they’re on the other side of the world. That makes things difficult for her and her fiancé (and father of her child), The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus, who shoots his show in Atlanta.
“That’s always been very hard, and probably a reason I work less,” she said. “Things just change when you have a family. You want to keep everyone together.” That’s why, she argues, no matter how crazy life can be it’s always worth it to make a little time to truly listen to what your body is saying.
“I always feel tense, like I’m forgetting 5,000 things a day. I often feel like I don’t take enough time to stop for a second and take care of me, so I’m trying to get better about that,” she said. After all, “There are so many things you don’t have control over in life.”
Kruger’s post-pregnant body has been the topic of headlines in the last couple years.
Just four months after giving birth, she proudly flaunted her toned abs, which she got back without the help of a trainer.
“Am I showing off?” she wrote on Instagram in March 2019 alongside a photo of her at the gym. “F**k yeah. ‘cause it’s been hard work to get my abs back. I didn’t think it was possible after having a baby. And certainly not at my age.,” adding, “I don’t have a trainer, but I’ve been committed to get my body back … The female body is AMAZING.”
