Actress Finds Personal Growth Through Complex Role and Reflective Experience
At the New York premiere of her latest project, Three Women, Shailene Woodley opened up about the profound impact her role as Gia has had on her personal growth and emotional expression. The 32-year-old actress shared insights with PEOPLE on Monday, September 9, revealing how playing Gia has helped her embrace a more open and authentic approach to her emotions.
Woodley, known for her dynamic roles, discussed how Gia’s ability to express emotions freely contrasts with her previously reserved nature. “It was fun to play with that amount of freedom in expression,” Woodley said, reflecting on her character’s emotional openness. The series, adapted from Lisa Taddeo’s 2019 non-fiction book of the same name, explores the lives of three women—Maggie, Sloane, and Lina—each from different backgrounds. Woodley portrays a fictionalized version of Taddeo herself, connecting with these women while working on a book about female sexuality.
Woodley was deeply inspired by Taddeo, who served as both creator and executive producer of the series. She described Taddeo as a “unicorn,” admiring her ability to be candid and honest about her experiences. “She’s able to be honest and truthful enough with herself about what she is experiencing internally to then be open with the world,” Woodley explained.
In a separate interview, Taddeo praised Woodley’s creative freedom in shaping her character. “From the start, I wanted Shailene to create her character using my DNA and the DNA of the women who had spoken to these other women,” Taddeo said. She lauded Woodley’s performance as “beyond talented,” noting that the actress brought authenticity to the role without merely mirroring her.
Woodley hopes that Three Women will offer comfort to viewers feeling isolated in their experiences. “We feel like we have to hide who we are to be accepted,” she said. “The truth is… we are so much more fascinating and interesting than the front we try to put on for the world. I hope people find some comfort in their truth.”
Alongside Woodley, the series features Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, and Gabrielle Creevy. Reflecting on her personal life, Woodley recently discussed her journey of self-discovery in an interview with Bustle. She attributed her growth to navigating a “broken heart that healed and broke again,” alluding to her past relationship with ex-fiancé Aaron Rodgers, which ended in February 2022.
Woodley had previously described filming Three Women as a challenging period, marking it as one of the “darkest” times in her life. In an interview with Net-a-Porter’s digital title PORTER, she shared that the experience was emotionally taxing but also a therapeutic outlet. “I was so grateful that at least I could go to work and cry and process my emotions through my character,” she said.
Three Women promises to be a compelling exploration of vulnerability and self-expression, with Woodley’s performance offering a deeply personal and relatable portrayal of emotional openness.