Margaret Qualley, the 31-year-old actress known for her role in The Substance, shares insights about her personal and professional life in the March 2026 issue of Vanity Fair, released on February 24. Throughout the interview, Qualley reveals the complexities of building confidence in a demanding industry and highlights how her husband, Jack Antonoff, has been a key influence in helping her embrace her true self.
The Struggle to Embrace Authenticity Early in Her Career
Starting her acting journey at a young age left Qualley feeling overwhelmed and cautious about revealing her authentic identity. She explains feeling afraid that being fully herself would alienate women and expose her to harm from men. This fear, she notes, limited her ability to express the femininity and sensuality that are integral parts of who she is. Over time, gaining more control over her career and personal life allowed her to reconnect with these qualities.
I started working so young, and when I first started acting, I was just overwhelmed. I felt like if I was fully myself, women would hate me and men would hurt me. And so that took away some of the tools that come with being a woman because I was scared. Gradually, now that I feel like I have more control of my life, I can kind of lean more into the sensual and the feminine.
— Margaret Qualley
She credits her husband with encouraging her to explore all facets of her personality, contributing greatly to her confidence journey.
Jack [Antonoff] has helped me for sure, because he has made me feel more confident to explore all the parts of myself.
— Margaret Qualley
Personal Reflections and Private Moments Revealed
Margaret Qualley maintains a guarded approach to sharing her personal life publicly. After her initial interview with Vanity Fair’s Marissa Meltzer, she sent a heartfelt message revealing intimate loves and values that define her off-screen.
I love my husband, my family. I love dancing and horses. I love the moon. Happy crying is the best. I love listening to Tara Brach and books on tape. And anything Jack writes. Female friendships are so holy, shout out Talia Ryder. My sister was my first soulmate. I wanna die on a farm. I need to learn how to drive stick, my brother tried to teach me but I was 12 and it didn’t land. Smokey, dog, god. I love you world, thank you for having me.
— Margaret Qualley
Lessons Learned from Career Missteps and Self-Criticism
Qualley admits to being highly competitive and driven, pushing herself to accept numerous opportunities, which sometimes led to overextending and burnout. She has recognized the importance of pacing her professional commitments to avoid excessive strain.
I’m supercompetitive with myself, and I’m very driven. I have learned the lesson of my eyes being too big for my stomach professionally. That means taking all the opportunities I can get and then crashing and feeling like I have a schedule I can’t keep up with.
— Margaret Qualley
Regarding roles she now regards as mistakes, she clarifies that these decisions were never wrong in the moment but choices she would not repeat.
When I say mistakes, I don’t mean it was the wrong thing, I mean I wouldn’t do it again.
— Margaret Qualley
Choosing Privacy in a Public Sphere
Margaret Qualley expresses a preference for privacy, acknowledging difficulty in accurately representing herself in real time on public platforms. She prefers to remain somewhat of an enigma rather than risk being misinterpreted by the public.
I don’t feel like I’m always good at representing myself publicly in real time, so I would almost rather say nothing at all? Because rather than have the wrong idea about me, someone just wouldn’t have any idea about me.
— Margaret Qualley
Embracing Meditation and Staying Present
Her commitment to twice-daily Transcendental Meditation marks a shift from using work as a distraction to actively engaging with her life, which she calls “the best medicine.”
I used to use my job as an excuse to check out of my life. I find that now staying checked in to my life is the best medicine.
— Margaret Qualley
Looking Ahead with Renewed Confidence and Creativity
Margaret Qualley continues to evolve both personally and professionally, drawing strength from her relationships and mindfulness practices. Her journey underscores the challenges of maintaining authenticity in Hollywood while balancing vulnerability and privacy. As she recently appeared in a music video directed by her husband Jack Antonoff, her confidence journey and artistic collaboration seem intertwined, promising continued growth in her career and public persona.
