In a candid exchange featured in the debut issue of 72 Magazine, Julia Roberts opened up about the challenges of Julia Roberts parenting amid fame during a heartfelt conversation with longtime friend George Clooney. The discussion, conducted by Clooney for Edward and Akua Enifall’s new publication, delved into how fame has shaped their approaches to raising their children over the years.
Both actors, known for their Oscar-winning careers, reflected on the balancing act between public life and nurturing their families, highlighting the unique pressures fame imposes on parenting.
George Clooney on Teaching Resilience through His Upbringing
George Clooney, 64, shared his perspective on instilling resilience in his children, drawing from his own experiences growing up with limited means.
“Raising kids in fame — it exists, you can’t deny it, whatever your relationship with it is, it is still fame — and you have money, right? I grew up very poor. I cut tobacco for $3 an hour and I learned from that,”
Clooney reflected.
He recounted how moving to Los Angeles and enduring the struggles of early acting auditions taught him survival skills and financial humility.
“When I moved to L.A. and rode a bicycle to audition, I learned that I could survive on almost nothing. What I got from that, from me growing up that way, was the knowledge that I could survive. That if the bottom fell out, we’d be OK.”
Clooney’s main worry as a parent, especially with his 8-year-old twins Alexander and Ella, whom he shares with wife Amal, centers on how growing up with comfort and security might influence their worldview.
How Julia Roberts and Danny Moder Impart Core Values to Their Children
Responding to Clooney’s concern about instilling meaningful values in a world where they are increasingly overlooked, Roberts highlighted the alignment she shares with her husband Danny Moder regarding their family principles.
“You and I have talked about this a lot,”
she explained.
“You know, we all want our kids to grow up with values. This is what we want as parents. I think part of it is just Danny and I are definitely aligned in our core values and always have been.”
She also shared that her children initially had little awareness of her professional life.
“I can’t even tell you how old my kids probably were when they really understood my place in a work world.”
Roberts and Moder are parents to twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 20, and son Henry, 18.
Children’s Growing Awareness of Fame and Individuality
Clooney observed that as their children mature, they become more conscious of their parents’ public status. He recalled a recent moment when his son asked him about the meaning of “famous” after hearing it from a friend’s mother.
“And I said, ‘Well, tell her I’m very famous!’”
Clooney said with a laugh.
Turning back to Roberts’ children, Clooney noted their development into kind and humorous individuals who have managed to forge their own identities despite their mother’s fame.
Julia Roberts on Learning from Her Children and Staying Fearless
Roberts emphasized that her children have taught her valuable lessons about compassion and humanity.
“None of it is really as hard as we make it out to be,”
she said. When asked about her top parenting advice, she was clear and direct: “Do not be afraid.”
“They don’t wake up as monsters one day,”
Roberts continued.
“They don’t turn 13 and hate you. They don’t turn 16 and hate you. You just have to hang in there and things shift and then the boat rights itself again. It’s such a magnificent thing to be part of this family.”
Despite societal pressures against naming family as one’s proudest achievement, Roberts admitted that being part of her “fivesome” family remains her greatest source of pride.
George Clooney Praises Julia Roberts and Danny Moder’s Parenting
Clooney echoed this sentiment by complimenting Roberts and Moder on their parenting skills.
“Your kids are such great kids that if it’s not your proudest thing, I would be so ashamed of you,”
he joked. He added sincerely,
“Honest to God. It’s just so much fun watching them around you. They’ve got your back. You’ve got their back.”
The Launch of 72 Magazine and Cultural Impact
The thoughtful discussion between the actors also marks a significant moment for the launch of 72 Magazine and the EE72 digital platform. This new venture merges fashion, beauty, luxury, and culture in an immersive storytelling experience, signaling a transformation in the media world.
Sarah Harris, Editorial Director of 72 Magazine, praised Roberts in a statement:
“Julia Roberts has always represented something profound in our cultural landscape—an artist who refuses to be defined by any single moment, continuously evolving while remaining utterly true to herself. She embodies the modern woman 72 Magazine celebrates: unfiltered, authentic and timeless.”
Harris added,
“This cover is a celebration of that fearless individuality, and the beginning of an extraordinary journey.”
Julia Roberts’ Upcoming Film and Continuing Career Highlights
While motherhood remains her top achievement, Roberts is also preparing audiences for her role in the upcoming psychological drama After the Hunt, directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, portrays Roberts as a college professor facing a personal crisis when a star student accuses a colleague, threatening to reveal a dark secret from the professor’s past.
The Times’ Kevin Maher described the film as
“an extraordinary tale of tested loyalties and difficult truths on the campus of Yale University in the early 2020s.”
After the Hunt is set to be released in theaters on October 10.
A Thought-Provoking Conversation and What Lies Ahead
With the debut issue of 72 Magazine launching on September 12, empowered by EE72’s innovative platform, the publication promises to evoke diverse emotions and perspectives among its readers. Roberts commented on the magazine’s impact, saying,
“That’s how we wanted it to feel — that everybody comes out with all these different feelings, emotions and points of views. You realize what you believe in strongly and what your convictions are because we stir it all up for you. So, you’re welcome.”
This dialogue between Julia Roberts and George Clooney not only offers rare insight into the private challenges of parenting in the public eye but also sets the tone for a new era of media, culture, and authentic storytelling.
