Rose Byrne has raised eyebrows among her fans by joking about her alcohol consumption as a way to unwind after emotionally challenging acting roles. The talented Australian actress, currently starring in the psychological comedy-drama film “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” has been candid about the toll of playing Linda, a mother in the midst of an existential crisis.
Living in Brooklyn with her partner, actor Bobby Cannavale, and their two sons, Byrne opened up about how she relaxes after long days on set. Cannavale, known for his roles in “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Irishman,” has been by Byrne’s side for over a decade.
In a recent interview, Byrne revealed, “I drink a lot of alcohol. To be honest, it’s sometimes as simple as having a cocktail after a long day on set or switching on the TV. Everyone has different coping mechanisms. A lot of people have a spiritual practice or a religion, but I don’t have any of that. Bobby and I have a very simple life. We’re not surrounded by a lot of people. We have a community that we rely on at home in Brooklyn. It’s those things that I gravitate towards. I’m from a very close family, whom I lean on more and more.”
While Byrne’s remarks were delivered in a light-hearted manner, they shed light on the intensity of her work. A source close to the actress noted, “Rose was being candid about how intense the material she deals with is. She throws herself into her characters, and sometimes that means she needs a clear line between work and home. The comment about alcohol was self-deprecating, not a cry for help, but it has sparked concern she may have a drinking problem.”
Despite the concerns raised, those familiar with Byrne’s work ethic emphasized that there is no indication of her being out of control or struggling with alcoholism. The actress herself highlighted her ability to separate her work from her personal life, stating, “Obviously, this is demanding subject matter, but I think I’m very good at keeping work at work and keeping home and home. It’s great to have that separation. My children couldn’t care less if I’ve had a long day – but in the best, most refreshing and grounding way.”
Byrne also acknowledged the parallels between her own life and the themes of her latest film, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” She expressed, “I’m a mother, so this role hits home for me. I mean, there’s nothing more confronting than being a parent, because kids see the best of you and the worst of you – and it’s so much about your own limitations. There’s that cliché of your child ending up teaching you more about yourself than anything, but they are the greatest teachers. It’s exactly the same in this film.”
The film, written and directed by Mary Bronstein, features Byrne alongside Conan O’Brien, A$AP Rocky, Christian Slater, and Danielle Macdonald. Industry sources have emphasized that Byrne’s comments should be understood within the context of the acting profession, where decompressing after work is a common practice. Despite the attention sparked by her remarks, it is clear that Byrne has a stable family life and a strong support system in place.
As conversations around mental health and substance use in Hollywood continue to evolve, Byrne’s openness about her coping mechanisms serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care and finding healthy ways to navigate the demands of a challenging profession.
