American actress and director Kristen Stewart has openly admitted she is contemplating leaving the United States, citing President Donald Trump's 'terrifying' influence on the film industry as a primary concern. The 35-year-old star, born and raised in Los Angeles, expressed deep uncertainty about her future prospects in her home country during a candid interview with The Times UK.
A Career Forged in Hollywood
Stewart began her acting career at just 12 years old, starring alongside Jodie Foster in the thriller Panic Room. She gained international fame portraying Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga film series and later delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Diana, Princess of Wales in the 2021 biographical drama Spencer. Now transitioning behind the camera, she is currently promoting her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, a biographical drama featuring Imogen Poots as writer Lidia Yuknavitch.
'Reality is Breaking Completely Under Trump'
Stewart, who has been vocal about politics for years, made a stark assessment of the current climate. 'It would have been impossible to make The Chronology of Water in the States,' she revealed about her film, which was shot in Latvia. Her comments reference Trump's previous threat to impose a 100 per cent tariff on movies made outside the US, which he labelled a 'National Security threat' despite the common practice of international co-productions.
'Reality is breaking completely under Trump,' Stewart declared. 'But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.' Although the proposed tariff policy has largely been forgotten by the administration, Stewart finds such threats 'terrifying' for the creative industry's future.
Considering a Move Abroad
When questioned about her future residence, the actress-director – who splits her time between Los Angeles and New York – confirmed she would consider relocating overseas. 'I can't work freely in the U.S., but I don't want to give up completely,' she stated. In a provocative remark, she added, 'I'd like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.'
Reflections on Gender and Directing
The interview also explored Stewart's experiences navigating Hollywood as both an actress and a director. She offered a blunt comparison: 'Actresses get treated like s***, I've got to tell you. People think anyone could be an actress, but the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I thought, "Wow, this is a different experience, they are talking to me like I'm somebody with a brain".'
She criticised the perpetuation of the myth that directors possess 'otherworldly abilities,' attributing this idea largely to men. 'Not to sound like I'm complaining all the time, but it's worse for female actors than male ones – they get treated like puppets, but they are not,' Stewart asserted, praising Imogen Poots for putting 'her whole body and soul into this movie.'
A Contentious History with Trump
Stewart's friction with Trump dates back to 2012 when, as a reality star and businessman, he publicly criticised her after news emerged of her affair with married director Rupert Sanders while she was dating Robert Pattinson. Trump tweeted at the time: 'Robert Pattinson should not take back. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again – just watch. He can do much better!'
Reflecting on this 'insane' rant during Trump's inauguration day, Stewart told Variety: 'He was mad at me a couple years ago, really obsessed with me a couple years ago, which is f***ing crazy. What? I can't even understand it.' She later mocked him while hosting Saturday Night Live in 2017, reading his tweets and joking, 'Donald, if you didn't like me then, you're probably really not going to like me now because I'm hosting SNL and I'm, like, so gay, dude.'
Joining a Growing Exodus
Stewart's contemplation of leaving the US follows a trend of other high-profile figures who have relocated abroad since Trump's return to the presidency. This group includes director James Cameron, actress Robin Wright, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, and comedian Rosie O'Donnell.
O'Donnell confirmed last year that she had moved to Ireland with her child and was pursuing Irish citizenship, suggesting her decision was politically motivated. 'It's been heartbreaking to see what's happening politically and hard for me personally as well. The personal is political, as we all know,' she said. Trump later threatened to revoke her citizenship, calling her a 'threat to humanity,' to which O'Donnell responded dismissively from her new home.
Stewart, who married writer Dylan Meyer last year after six years together, emphasised the importance of historical perspective in her work. 'History really matters. It tells you that you are either allowed to be here or not. The rewriting of history is happening because equality is becoming closer to a reality,' she explained, highlighting her focus on women's narratives in The Chronology of Water.
As political tensions continue to influence the cultural landscape, Stewart's potential departure underscores the profound impact of policy and rhetoric on artistic freedom and personal choice within the entertainment industry.
