Michelle Williams is a name on everyone’s lips right now. Not only does she turn in an impressive performance as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn, but she now holds a Best Actress award for the film and many of us are still giddy with joy over her adorable acceptance speech in which she thanked her daughter, Matilda, for everything. In the February issue of GQ, Williams poses for a few racy, Marilyn-themed photos and bares all in an interview that ranged from her views on her own sexiness to living without Heath Ledger, to wanting a sibling for her six-year-old daughter.
Williams exudes class and poise throughout the interview, and apropos to her latest film, she touches on the subject of being sexy: I wouldn’t say that that would be one of my first qualities as a human being—being sexy…And I think because my character on Dawson’s Creek was sexy…sexualized…sexual…I saw all the negative attention and connotations that can come along with that. And that those things can keep people from seeing you clearly.”
She goes on to say that she thinks “being sexy” is for men’s benefit. But what about her decision to portray Monroe, a woman whose sexuality still consumes men to this day? It was a photo Williams found at age 12 that convinced her the role was right. The picture in question showed Monroe barefoot in a field, wearing a white dress and smiling. She saw this as sign of something more than the Marilyn who stood over exhaust grates and let her skirt fly up. “Maybe this felt like the real her or something. Because those ones where she is backed into a corner with a dress falling off, those ones feel like they’re for men.”
And from the looks of the Golden Globe nominated film, she’s accomplished that delicate balance between Marilyn’s classic irrepressible sexuality and the girl-like quality Williams grew so attached to. But as for the not seeing herself as sexy part, it’s cute that’s so humble about it because from the looks of these photos, she’s way off base. Check out the photos from the sexy spread below and for the full interview, jump over to GQ.
