Kristen Stewart starred as Princess Diana in her biopic ‘Spencer‘. The actress was widely lauded by critics for her heart-touching performance. But the experience with Diana’s story didn’t halt after the cameras stopped rolling for Kristen.
Long after filming wrapped, the role stayed with the actress, leaving a lingering impression that still follows her today. She describes it as something akin to a haunting.
Kristen Stewart Says She’s “Haunted” By Princess Diana
‘Spencer,’ Princess Diana’s biopic, follows the late royal as she chooses herself and her sons during the Christmas holiday at the royal family’s Sandringham estate. Over the course of the tense weekend, Diana realises her marriage has become emotionally damaging. By the end, she decides to step away from Prince Charles (now King Charles) and the suffocating royal system surrounding her.
Related: Where Did Princess Diana Live After Divorcing Prince Charles?
Four years later, the film has clearly left a lasting impact on Kristen Stewart. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, the actress admitted she still feels “haunted” by the late Princess of Wales. “I still am. I can’t drive ’round this city, and Paris for that matter, without thinking about her,” Stewart said during an interview in London.
She also spoke emotionally about the immense love Diana inspired, saying her memory can still move her to tears, decades after the princess died in 1997.
From Reluctance To Resolve: Stewart’s Journey With The Diana Role
Director Pablo Larraín’s sole motive in making ‘Spencer‘ was to capture the essence of Princess Diana’s inner spirit. From the beginning, he remained unwavering in his vision, refusing to budge despite Kristen Stewart’s repeated attempts to talk him out of casting her in the lead role. For Larraín, emotional truth mattered far more than surface-level accuracy, and he was convinced Stewart could channel Diana’s vulnerability and strength in a way that went beyond mere resemblance.
Stewart later admitted she struggled with the obvious physical differences, particularly Diana’s famously blue eyes compared to her own green ones. She even joked about altering Diana’s iconic engagement ring, but Larraín remained unmoved. His confidence in her ultimately led to Stewart earning her first Academy Award nomination.
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Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Princess Diana was more than an acting challenge; it became a deeply personal journey into the life of a woman whose compassion and resilience continue to inspire. Stewart also related to Diana’s experience of being relentlessly hounded by the media, seeing striking parallels with her own life under intense public scrutiny.
That shared understanding allowed Stewart to embody Diana’s spirit with authenticity and empathy. Her performance not only honoured the late princess but also reminded audiences why Diana’s legacy of love and humanity continues to endure.
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