Over the years, Kim Cattrall has been the prime example of a celebrity who’s not afraid to speak her mind. And though that has caused plenty of backlash, including, of course, plenty of speculation about her ongoing feud with Sarah Jessica Parker, it’s also propelled her to be one of the most honest and real actresses out there.
For example, when the sixth season of Sex and the City came to an end, Cattrall was open about the fact that her salary was the biggest reason why she didn’t sign up for a seventh season of the hit show. Many years later, when the SATC reboot, And Just Like That…, was announced, she once again opened up about how it all went down, including how she wasn’t even invited to join but was also happy to not have to say “no” yet again.
So, in honor of Cattrall’s 67th birthday today, we decided to look back at all the times Cattrall spoke out and put herself first, many times against what studios or even fans would’ve wanted. Scroll on to see some of the Queen of Self-Love’s best quotes!
Part of a Team
Back in 2004, Cattrall spoke out about how fighting for better salaries led to Sex and the City not having a seventh season. “I felt after six years it was time for all of us to participate in the financial windfall of Sex and the City,” she said in an appearance at Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, per Digital Spy. “When they didn’t seem keen on that I thought it was time to move on.”
Waiting for the Right Moment
When the first Sex and the City movie hit theaters, Cattrall talked about her decision to wait to make it until the moment felt right for her. “Four years ago I was going through a painful public divorce, the series was coming to an end, and my father was diagnosed with dementia. I felt it was time to be with my real family,” she told Marie Claire in 2008.
“A year-and-a-half ago, when I was sent the script, I was ready and strong enough to revisit Samantha,” she continued. “In some ways, I’m glad we waited. The script and the experience of making the movie was the best possible reunion.”
No Time for Gossip
Over the years, Cattrall has also shut down feud rumors with Sex and the City co-star Sarah Jessica Parker. Most of all, Cattrall has showed how bored she is about having to continue the conversation.
“People don’t want to believe that we get on,” she told Daily Mail. “They have too much invested in the idea of two strong, successful women fighting with each other. It makes for juicy gossip and copy. The truth of us being friends and getting along and happily doing our jobs together is nowhere near as newsworthy.”
“I think Sarah is fantastic,” she continued. “She is a born leader and she guides the crew and the cast in such a strong but gentle way. She and I are sick of this. It’s exhausting talking about it, and a real bore. Next?” Love this confidence!
Empowered to Say ‘No’
Talking to Piers Morgan in 2017, Cattrall explained her decision to say “no” to the third Sex and the City movie. “The answer was simply, ‘Thank you, but no, I’m good,'” she said. “This isn’t about more money. It’s not about more scenes. It’s not about any of those things. This is about a clear decision, an empowered decision in my life to end one chapter and start another.” She added, “It’s a great part. I played it past the finish line and then some, and I loved it.”
Not Wasting Her Time
In an interview with The Guardian in 2019, Cattrall opened up about how recent tragedies changed her outlook on life. “The tragedies in my life continue to shape me,” she said. “Now I don’t want to be in a situation for even an hour where I’m not enjoying myself. I want to choose who I spend time with personally and professionally. It’s my life.”
She continued, “I lost my dad seven years ago, to Alzheimer’s, and Mum has just turned 90. I’ve become aware there’s only so much time left.”
Standing By Her Decisions
Talking to Variety last year, Cattrall stood by her decision to opt out of the third movie and say goodbye to Samantha, despite the buzz around And Just Like That… “I would have preferred for all of us to have some kind of event to warrant a third film. That didn’t happen. But also, I was ready. And this is exactly what I wished for: to be in different places playing different characters because I’m a character actress,” she said.
“And as difficult as it was, and as scary as it is to stand up and not be bullied by the press or the fans or whomever — to just say, ‘I’m good,'” she continued. “I’m on this track. It was so great working with you. I so enjoyed it, but I’m over here.”
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