Julia Roberts gets candid about her early insecurities

Julia Roberts is opening up about the insecurities she faced when starting her career in Hollywood.

While speaking with PEOPLE, the Pretty Woman star admitted she didn’t begin her career “with much confidence,” revealing that early criticism deeply affected her.

The Oscar-winning actress shared that she faced “a few critical people who were really cruel,” which forced her to reflect on the kind of person she wanted to become.

“It was so much more about who I wanted to be as opposed to what kind of career I wanted to have,” Roberts explained.

The 57-year-old actress described her beginning years between 15 and 25 as “more bumps than smooth sailing.”

Despite the challenges, she says those moments taught her resilience and gratitude. “They proved my endurance to myself,” she said.

Roberts also acknowledged that insecurity can be “crippling,” especially in an industry filled with harsh criticism. Yet those experiences helped shape her outlook and strength.

Reflecting on her journey, Roberts said her choices have always been about “personal evolution and discovery.”

Her upcoming movie, After the Hunt, starring Ayo Edebiri, will hit theaters on October 10.