Cameron Diaz is making her highly anticipated return to acting after more than a decade away from the screen. The beloved star, who stepped away from Hollywood in 2014, is gearing up for two high-profile projects that will see her gracing the screen once again.
But Diaz’s path back to acting hasn’t been a straightforward one. In a candid conversation at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, the actress opened up about the reasons behind her extended hiatus and what ultimately convinced her to step back in front of the camera.
“For me, it was just something I had to do,” Diaz said of her decision to retire from acting. “It felt like something I had to do to reclaim my own life. I simply didn’t care about anything else.
The Charlie’s Angels star explained that during her break from Hollywood, she encountered plenty of naysayers who thought her career was over. But Diaz remained steadfast in her convictions.
“People would be like, ‘It’s over,’ and I’d be like, ‘No, it’s not; it’s not over for me,'” she recalled. “So, I had to push myself.”
After marrying musician Benji Madden in 2015 and welcoming two children, Raddix in 2019 and Cardinal in 2022, Diaz underwent a shift in priorities. The actress made the conscious choice to step away from the spotlight in order to focus on building her family.
“Nobody’s opinion, nobody’s success, no one’s offer, or anything else could change my mind about my decision to take care of myself and build the life that I really wanted to have,” Diaz asserted. “The key question is: What is your passion?” For me, it was to build my family.”
Madden, Diaz’s husband of over seven years, proved to be a crucial source of support during this transitional period. According to the actress, the Good Charlotte rocker encouraged her to prioritize her own needs and aspirations, even if that meant temporarily stepping away from her acting career.
“He’s like, ‘It’s time for us to support you and let Mommy ascend and do her thing,'” Diaz shared.
And now, with her family firmly established, Diaz has decided the time is right to return to the screen. Her upcoming Netflix action comedy, “Back in Action,” alongside longtime collaborator Jamie Foxx, represents the first major project she’s taken on since her self-imposed retirement.
In the film, Diaz and Foxx portray a former CIA spy duo, compelled to return to the realm of espionage upon the exposure of their covert identities. Although the film is a significant departure from the romantic comedies that made Diaz a household name in the ’90s and early 2000s, the actress appears eager to embrace this new chapter.
“Jamie Foxx, you’re the only one who could bring me back to life!” I can’t wait; it’s going to be an incredible experience! Diaz first announced the project on Instagram.
Diaz’s return to acting will also include a reprise of her beloved role as Princess Fiona in the upcoming fifth installment of the “Shrek” franchise. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the character and the franchise that first introduced Diaz to a new generation of fans.
The actress herself acknowledged that her decision to leave Hollywood was bold and defied conventional wisdom.
“People would say, ‘It’s over,’ but I would respond, ‘No, it’s not; it’s not over for me,'” Diaz recalled the reactions she faced. But her unwavering commitment to reclaiming her life and building her family ultimately proved far more important than any industry offers or accolades.
Now, with a renewed sense of purpose and the support of her loved ones, Diaz is poised to make a triumphant return to the screen. Her fans, no doubt, will be eagerly awaiting the chance to see this beloved actress back in action, both literally and figuratively.
It’s a testament to Diaz’s resilience, self-awareness, and commitment to her own well-being that she was able to step away from the spotlight, only to reemerge when the time was right for her and her family. As she herself stated, “It really comes down to: What are you passionate about?” For Cameron Diaz, that passion has clearly been finding balance and fulfillment beyond the confines of Hollywood.