Carey Mulligan | Smartless
Join Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman on "SmartLess" as they delve into the multifaceted life and career of the Academy Award-nominated actress Carey Mulligan. As Mulligan shares her unexpected on-screen success with "An Education" and her subsequent battle with imposter syndrome, listeners get a glimpse of the reality behind the glamour. Discover her nerve-racking approach to selecting roles that challenge her, notably in comedy, and catch a behind-the-scenes look at her synergy with Bradley Cooper on the set of "Maestro," where his in-character direction influenced her own performance in profound ways.
Away from the sparkle of Hollywood, Carey Mulligan reveals the endearing story of her childhood bond with musician Marcus Mumford. What began as a summer camp friendship and a series of pen pal letters unfolds into a touching narrative of rekindled connection and romantic evolution. Beyond her cinematic accomplishments, Mulligan's dedication to War Child UK highlights her decade-long humanitarian work, displaying her commitment to providing therapy and advocating for children in conflict zones. The intimate conversation on "SmartLess" unveils the depth of Mulligan's off-screen passions, emphasizing the significance of sustaining hope for war-affected children through both War Child UK and Children in Conflict.
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1-Page Summary
Careers of Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper
Carey Mulligan has developed an impressive career, sparked by her transformative experiences of theatre in New York during a trip at 14. Her breakout role in "An Education" was a surprising success, overcoming her own low expectations for the film and leading to a struggle with imposter syndrome afterward. Mulligan's role selection process, informed by her agent's advice, often leads her to roles that challenge and scare her, like those in comedy. Bradley Cooper, in his upcoming film "Maestro," not only directs and stars alongside Mulligan but immerses himself in character throughout the shoot, providing a unique experience for Mulligan. Cooper's acting choices while portraying Leonard Bernstein gave Mulligan implicit direction, shaping her performance intricately.
Childhood connection of Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford
The childhood connection between Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford began at a summer camp they both attended as kids, where they formed a bond and exchanged letters as pen pals. Mulligan reminisces about their friendship and their eventual brief reconnection as young adults through the internet, paving the way for their romantic relationship later on. Although they lost touch after their early friendship, it's interesting how their connection was rekindled in adulthood, evolving beyond the pen pal stage.
Carey Mulligan's charity work
Carey Mulligan has passionately committed herself to War Child UK for a decade, focusing on helping children in conflict zones. She advocates for and supports the organization's trauma therapy, including art therapy and counseling, helping children recover from war-related traumas. Highlighting the serious nature of this work, Mulligan mentions Rob Williams of War Child UK, who has negotiated with the Taliban in Afghanistan for critical issues like women's rights to work for the organization. These efforts, she notes, stress the necessity and importance of the charity's work both in the UK and the USA through Children in Conflict, aiming to secure a hopeful future for children affected by war.
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Clarifications
- Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as frauds despite evidence of their competence. It can lead to self-doubt, strained relationships, and hindered potential. The term was coined in 1978 and initially studied in high-achieving women. It can affect anyone, regardless of their actual accomplishments.
- Leonard Bernstein was a highly acclaimed American conductor, composer, and pianist known for his significant contributions to music across various genres. He composed iconic works like the Broadway musical "West Side Story" and played a pivotal role in popularizing the music of Gustav Mahler. Bernstein's legacy includes numerous awards and achievements, making him a prominent figure in the music industry. He was the first American-born conductor to achieve international recognition, leaving a lasting impact on the world of classical music.
- Marcus Mumford is a British musician known as the lead singer of the folk band Mumford & Sons. He was born in California to English parents and holds both UK and US citizenship. Marcus is married to English actress Carey Mulligan, with whom he has three children.
- War Child UK is a charitable organization that focuses on providing support and assistance to children affected by conflict and war zones around the world. They offer various programs such as trauma therapy, art therapy, and counseling to help children recover from the traumas of war. The organization works towards securing a better future for these children by advocating for their rights and well-being in regions impacted by conflict. War Child UK collaborates with individuals and groups to address critical issues like women's rights and negotiations with conflicting parties to ensure the safety and development of children in war-torn areas.
- The Taliban is a militant organization in Afghanistan with a history of governing parts of the country. It follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law and has been involved in conflicts and controversies related to human rights, particularly concerning women's rights. The group emerged in the mid-1990s and regained control of Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of international forces. The Taliban's rule has been met with international criticism and concerns regarding the rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens.
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Careers of Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper
Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper continue to display remarkable depth and evolution in their careers, from Mulligan's breakthrough moments to their collaboration in the upcoming film "Maestro."
How Carey Mulligan became interested in acting
Carey Mulligan's interest in acting was sparked during a pivotal trip to New York with her mother at the age of 14. It was there that she witnessed Kevin Bacon perform a "magic trick" of a one-man show at the Walter Kerr Theatre. This, coupled with seeing "Cabaret," cemented her desire to act, specifically in musical theatre.
Carey Mulligan's breakout with "An Education"
Initially low expectations for the film's success
Mulligan tells the story of her breakout role in "An Education," a five-week shoot that she initially thought might only be shown in a couple of cinemas. She had no expectations for its widespread success.
Imposter syndrome after success of the film
Following the success of "An Education," Mulligan admits to facing imposter syndrome despite the film propelling her to new career heights.
Carey Mulligan's approach to selecting roles
Carey Mulligan's career decisions are guided by advice from her agent, Tor, who recommended that she should only accept roles she cannot bear seeing played by someone else. This guideline often leads her to choose parts that are challenging and feel risky.
Looks for roles that scare her
Mulligan is particularly drawn to roles that scare her, such as those in comedy where the pressure to make the audience laugh presents a formidable challenge.
Bradley Cooper directing, starring with Carey Mulligan in "Maestro"
Bradley stayed in character/accent the whole shoot
"Maestro," the upcoming film directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, features Mulligan in a performance that Will Arnett hails as one of the greatest he has ...
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Careers of Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper
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Clarifications
- Carey Mulligan's interest in acting was sparked during a trip to New York at 14, where she saw Kevin Bacon perform. Her breakout role came in the film "An Education," which initially had low expectations but led to new career heights. Mulligan selects roles that challenge her and scare her, guided by advice from her agent. Bradley Cooper directed and starred in the film "Maestro," where he stayed in character as Leonard Bernstein throughout the shoot, influencing Mulligan's performance.
- Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. In Carey Mulligan's case, despite the success of her breakout film "An Education," she experienced imposter syndrome, feeling unworthy of her newfound success. This feeling is common among high-achieving individuals and can impact one's self-esteem and confidence in their abilities. Mulligan's experience highlights how even external success may not always alleviate feelings of inadequacy associated with imposter syndrome.
- Carey Mulligan's approach to selecting roles involves choosing characters that she feels uniquely suited to portray, ones that resonate with her on a personal level. This approach ensures that she brings a genuine and authentic interpretation to her roles, making them more compelling and memorable. By following this guideline, Mulli ...
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Childhood connection of Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford
Carey Mulligan reveals the charming story of how she and Marcus Mumford shared a nostalgic connection since their childhood before eventually dating.
Met at summer camp as kids
Carey Mulligan reminisces about her friendship with Marcus Mumford, reflecting on the time they first met as children at a summer camp where their young bond began. She recalls that she was there when he was just 10 years old, and she was a bit older, at the age of 12. After the camp, their friendship continued as they became pen pals, regularly exchanging letters. Mulligan remembers that even back then, she considered him the nicest and kindest person she had ever met, a sentiment expressed in her childhood diary. However, despite appreciating his good qualities, she didn't see him as boyfriend material at that young age.
Briefly reconnected as young adults before dating
Despite having been pen ...
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Childhood connection of Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford
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- Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford first met as children at a summer camp, where they began a friendship. They continued to stay in touch as pen pals after the camp but eventually lost contact. They reconnected as young adults through social media platforms like Facebook, leading to the development of their romantic relationship.
- Their reconnection through Facebook was significant because it allowed Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford to bridge the gap of lost contact from their pen pal days as children. Facebook provided a platform for them to reconnect as young adults, enabling them to revive their connection and explore the potential for a romantic relationship. This reconnection through social media played a pivotal role in bringing them back into each other's lives after years of being out of touch. It ultimately set the stage for their relationship to evolve beyond friendship.
- The transition of Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford's relationship fro ...
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Carey Mulligan's charity work
The acclaimed actress Carey Mulligan has been instrumental in supporting children affected by war through her long-term commitment to War Child UK.
Work with War Child UK to aid children in conflict zones
Mulligan has dedicated a significant portion of her time to War Child UK, working with the charity for about 10 years. The organization's mission is to aid children living in conflict zones, focusing on providing critical support that allows them to cope with the traumas they face.
Trauma therapy efforts
Mulligan vividly describes the trauma therapy initiatives that War Child UK implements for children impacted by the horrors of war. These efforts include art therapy and counseling designed to help children process and recover from the traumatic experiences they have witnessed. She speaks passionately about the positive outcomes of these therapy programs, underscoring their importance in the healing process for young victims of conflict.
Negotiating with the Taliban
The seriousness of War Child UK's work is further highlighted by recent efforts to engage with new political realities. Rob Williams, the CEO of War Child UK, has ventured into extremely challenging environments, such as Afghanistan, to negotiate directly with the Taliban. One of the pressing issues on the agenda has been advocating for women's rights, spe ...
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Carey Mulligan's charity work
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Carey Mulligan has been actively supporting War Child UK for approximately 10 years, focusing on aiding children affected by war. She has been involved in promoting trauma therapy initiatives, such as art therapy and counseling, to help children cope with the impact of conflict. Mulligan's advocacy extends to negotiating with challenging political environments, like engaging with the Taliban in regions like Afghanistan to advocate for women's rights within the organization. Through her efforts, Mulligan sheds light on the critical work being done to support vulnerable children worldwide.
- Negotiating with the Taliban for women's rights involves engaging with a group known for its strict interpretation of Islamic law, which historically restricted women's freedoms. This process is challenging due to the Taliban's past r ...
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