Lea Seydoux Quotes

I love challenge. I love to be afraid before a film, before acting. I think always I want to experience fear. I’ve become addicted to this feeling.

I like to learn things from other cultures. I’m curious. It’s exciting to be in an unknown world, in a way.

I’m not as beautiful as a model.

When a director you admire says that he wants to work with you, it’s always a compliment, very good for your ego.

Music was my first love, but it was difficult for me. It’s something that I really love, but I didn’t feel that I was so good at it. I can sing well, but I’m not a great singer. When I sing, I don’t feel I’m expressing all the emotions.

I don’t have any preconceived ideas of myself. I just take things as they come.

In America, they are very respectful of your work. People are not judgmental. They like difference – to be different is a force. In France, you have to be like the girl next door.

As an actor, it’s up to you to show that you can do something else. For me, the interesting actors don’t always go where you expect to find them.

I see society as something dangerous, and you have to save yourself from the rules. I think acting is the way I save myself.

It’s true that French are not very sophisticated in the sense that they don’t dress up for dinners. They are not like Americans, where they are always perfect – the girls are not very sporty; they don’t take care of themselves as much as Americans, who always have very white teeth and are so fit.

There are no nail salons in Paris – it is very expensive to do a manicure. I sometimes get one done.

I love being in the States because there’s an emphasis on work. People are enthusiastic. They put heart into things.

Whether you’re in a blockbuster or an art film, you have to be able to adapt.

I like a man who can respect a woman. When he’s real attentive, I think that is very manly. To respect a woman is divine.

Even in between takes, you emerge yourself. So you don’t have a life for six months.

I don’t really wear makeup every day. I feel like being an actress – we wear a lot of makeup – but when I am not working, I need to let my face breathe and be very comfortable.

I’m not reading reviews and critics. I don’t care. I guess I’m still a little on my own planet.

This is why I became an actress. So that people will take care of me. To be an actress is a refuge. You are taken everywhere, stay in wonderful hotels, everyone looks after you.

I found it hard to express myself in the world. I was very shy. I’m still very shy. But also, when I was a child, I could get very… I had this violence… I still get angry. But I don’t break things; I’m not hysterical.

I’ve always felt that Americans are very in the moment. There’s not so much melancholia and mystery as there is in France. Everything must be understood. Everything must be analyzed.

My proudest moment is when I’m part of a good film, when people are touched by it.

I see that people now recognize me in the street. But it doesn’t change me in the depth of my being.

I would love to take more risks – have pink hair – but it doesn’t look right on me.

Actually, I started to become an actress because I met someone who was just a friend and I found his life wonderful, I thought, Oh my god, you can travel, you’re free, you can do what you want, you’re the boss. And then I met an actor and I was in love with him.

I was putting forward too much of myself when I was singing.