Chloë Sevigny explains why she struggled with fame after her breakout roles

Chloë Sevigny is reflecting on her decades-long career in Hollywood, admitting that while she always dreamed of being an actor, becoming famous was never part of the plan.

The 51-year-old actress, who rose to prominence with acclaimed performances in Boys Don't Cry and American Psycho, said she struggled with the public attention that accompanied her success.

Speaking to People, Sevigny revealed that fame left her feeling conflicted early in her career.

“I think when I was younger, I had a very complicated relationship with fame,” she said. “I wanted to be an artist and an actor, but I didn’t want to be famous.”

The actress explained that the disconnect between her ambitions and the public's perception of her led her to become more guarded.

“I think that people didn’t understand that, and so I did put a little bit of a shell around me.”

Sevigny said she sees similarities between herself and her character, Tatum, in the upcoming television series The Five Star Weekend, who also projects a tough exterior.

“I think a lot of people think of me that way,” she said. “But anybody that gets to know me knows that I’m really, actually, pretty dorky and goofy underneath it all.”

She added that her upbringing in New England helped her understand the mindset of her character.

“I grew up in New England. I feel like I know people that have a little bit of this staunch kind of hard shell, or they may be a little bitter, or they’re very into what they’re into, and the rest of the world doesn’t really know what’s going on. It’s a very insular point of view.”

According to Sevigny, one of the most rewarding aspects of the series is watching Tatum evolve over the course of the story.

“By the end of the show, Tatum really has a turnaround,” she said. “[She] sees maybe what she missed out on for being so narrow-minded. It was a great journey to take with her.”

Her co-star Jennifer Garner also praised Sevigny during the interview, describing her as an engaged and generous scene partner.

Garner admitted she initially felt intimidated before working together.

“I’m very suburban emotionally and the opposite of urban cool, and Chloë is the face of urban cool,” Garner said. “She’s Doc Martens. I’m Brooks running shoes.”

Despite the public image that has followed Sevigny throughout her career, the actress says there is a much lighter side to her personality—one that those closest to her know well, even if fame often suggested otherwise.