Cate Blanchett, the Oscar-winning actress, has revealed the significant challenges she faces in obtaining adequate sleep due to her demanding schedule. She described her struggle to get more than four hours of sleep per night, a consequence of balancing a high-profile Hollywood career with a rigorous early-morning routine.
Blanchett, 57, begins her day at 5 a.m. to attend to her farm animals, walk the dogs, and complete a cold-water plunge, all before the demands of work and the school run for her youngest child. This intense schedule, combined with a penchant for late evenings, has led her to acknowledge that her energy levels are frequently depleted. "The wheels are constantly falling off," she stated, reflecting on her sleep habits. This commitment to early starts is rooted in her decades of work in the film industry, which often requires very early call times, a pattern she also experienced in theater.
The actress, who is a mother to four children, splits her time between residences in East Sussex and Cornwall. She has been actively involved in parenting discussions, particularly concerning her youngest child's navigation of beauty standards and technology. Blanchett emphasizes the importance of open communication with her children, advocating for respectful dialogue rather than control.
Beyond her personal life and career, Blanchett has been a vocal advocate for social issues. She co-founded the not-for-profit organization RSL Media, an online platform for creatives to register consent for AI use of their work. Reflecting on the #MeToo movement, Blanchett expressed disappointment that its momentum has waned and that gender equality in the industry has not been fully realized, citing persistent pay disparities and a rollback of progress.
Blanchett also serves on the Earthshot Prize Council, an initiative dedicated to finding solutions for climate change through technology. She has praised the leadership of Prince William, the founder of the prize, noting his consistent and hands-on engagement with the project, which she believes stems from his upbringing and interest cultivated by his father, King Charles.
Her insights on work-life balance, parenting, and her continued commitment to advocacy were shared in an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK, with the September issue on sale from August 6.