
Naomi Watts is taking a moment to reflect on her early struggles as an actress and how a pivotal moment with legendary director David Lynch changed the course of her career. In a recent appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, Watts revealed that, at one point, she was ready to give up acting altogether. After ten years of facing rejection and flunking auditions, the future King Kong star was on the verge of quitting. She candidly admitted that she was making people uncomfortable because of her desperation to land a job, explaining, “I was literally alienating people… I was so like, ‘I need a job! I need a job!’”
Watts’ breakthrough came in 2001 when she landed the role of Diane Selwyn/Betty Elms in Mulholland Drive, a film that would go on to become a defining part of her career. But according to Watts, if she hadn’t met David Lynch, she might have walked away from Hollywood for good. She called Lynch “instrumental” in her staying power in the industry, saying, “I wouldn’t have stayed had I not met David Lynch.” The director’s faith in her helped her push through a period of intense self-doubt.
She recalled the tough emotional and professional spot she was in at the time, admitting that her desperation had pushed her into a corner. “My agent at the time said, ‘You’re too intense. You’re making people uncomfortable,’” Watts shared. Despite her struggles, Lynch saw something in her that others had not. Instead of a traditional casting process, Lynch invited her to an intimate session, where he simply looked her in the eyes and asked her questions. The experience was nothing like the typical auditions she had endured, which often left her questioning her own worth and ability. She recalled, “Most of the time, I was like, ‘How do I get out of your way? How do I speed this up?’ because I was sure I wasn’t right for the part.”
Lynch’s unique approach to casting helped Watts shed the insecurities that had been holding her back. She said that Lynch was able to “lift these veneers” that she had built around herself due to years of rejection and self-doubt. His belief in her eventually led to her iconic role in Mulholland Drive, where she delivered a performance that would earn her critical acclaim and solidify her place as one of Hollywood’s top actresses.
In hindsight, Watts has expressed deep gratitude for that encounter with Lynch, which not only marked a major turning point in her career but also helped her regain confidence in herself as an actress. Her journey from almost quitting to becoming a celebrated actress serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence and having the right person believe in you when you’re struggling to believe in yourself.