Molly Ringwald Explains Why She Turned Down Lead Role In ‘Pretty Woman’

Molly Ringwald Reveals Why She Turned Down “Pretty Woman” Role

Hollywood icon Molly Ringwald recently opened up about why she turned down the lead role in the 1990s hit movie “Pretty Woman,” which ultimately went to superstar Julia Roberts. During an interview with The Guardian, the 55-year-old actress talked about the early days of her career in the 80s, marked by appearances in coming-of-age movies like “Sixteen Candles,” “Pretty In Pink,” and “The Breakfast Club.”

Ringwald said she had wanted to take on “darker roles” but found it challenging. “I didn’t really feel like darker roles were available to me,” the actress said. “The ones that I wanted to do, I didn’t get. I was too young for certain roles. I was at this weird in-between stage.”

Why She Turned Down “Pretty Woman”

The “Pick Up Artist” star said one such role she turned down was that of Vivian Ward in the movie starring Roberts and Richard Gere. “Julia Roberts was wonderful in it, but I didn’t really like the story,” Ringwald explained. “Even then, I felt like there was something icky about it.”

Another movie she said she got turned down for was the lead role in Mike Nichols’ “Working Girl,” which ended up going to Melanie Griffith, who was about ten years older. The movie is about a young girl trying to get out of the secretary ring and climb the corporate ladder.

“‘She really needs to be at that moment where you feel the pain,'” Ringwald recalled the director telling her. ‘”You have your whole life ahead of you – nobody’s going to believe that of you.'”

Dealing with Fame

At one point, the actress admitted she was just never really comfortable with the fame she found early in her career and admitted others are better at dealing with living in the spotlight. “It’s hard to grow up under that,” Ringwald said. “I don’t want to overdo this – and boohoo, I fully recognize my privilege – but I needed to get out from under all that scrutiny. I just wasn’t cut out for it in a way that certain other people are. Some people are really good at it. Taylor Swift is amazing! But I didn’t feel comfortable with that level of stardom.”

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