More than just a beauty icon

© Columbia Pictures

For films such as Catwoman and James Bond, it must have helped to have a perfect body, and you're seen a lot as the face of make-up and fashion brands. Are you worried about being trapped by your image as a beauty icon and sex symbol?
I definitely understood the importance of my body very early on in my career and I knew I had to use it because its one of my strengths! But at the same time, I also had to show I was capable of expressing emotion and that I was a complete actress. Sometimes I do struggle to convince producers that I can break away from that image. The producer of Jungle Fever said to me: "You can't play this part because you don't look like someone who has suffered." I said: "What do you know?" and he replied, "Well, you definitely don't look like you could be a drug addict," and I said, "What exactly does a drug addict look like to you?" I got the part! And for Perfect Stranger, I had to convince them that there's more to me than you see on the Revlon ads.

You look fab at 40! Would you ever resort to drastic changes for a film such as shaving your head like Natalie Portman? 
Actually yes, I have got to shave my head for a part! I've never done it before but I have to for the role.  

Are you scared?
You know, as women our hair defines us a lot: if we're having a bad hair day we just don't feel good. The character I play in my next movie has a shaved head so she only has her face to define herself with. It's going to be a question of her self-image and how other people are going to see her. From a female point of view, the movie is very rich and at the same time very difficult.

Are you going to take a break after filming to let your hair grow back?
No, I'll probably wear a wig. I don't particularly want to go around with a shaved head...so anyone who wants to see me with no hair will have to go and see the movie!