Jessica Biel Discusses Motherhood and Return to Acting
The actress, who recently starred in 'Matchbox,' opened up about her nine-year hiatus from acting and the physical changes after having children.
Jessica Biel is reflecting on her journey through motherhood and her return to the film industry after a nearly decade-long break from acting. The 44-year-old actress, who shares two sons, Silas, 11, and Phineas, 6, with husband Justin Timberlake, explained that her body underwent significant changes after childbirth.
"After you have kids, your body does crazy things," Biel told People. "And you’re like, when is this body ever going to feel like mine again?" She added that it took her about 11 years to feel like herself again, a sentiment she described as sounding "crazy."
Biel's recent role in the Apple TV movie "Matchbox: The Movie," where she portrays an EMT and amateur race car driver, was a conscious decision influenced by her children. She felt ready to take on the physically demanding role and saw it as an opportunity her sons might find impressive.
"I really felt like I could trust myself to have the physical capabilities to do something like this again," Biel said. "It just was the perfect timing and felt like an opportunity that my kids would be proud of, that they could see. And that maybe they’d think I was kind of cool because, you know, cars and stuff."
Her older son, Silas, even made a small cameo appearance in the film. "He plays a small part in the movie at the very end, which is really cute," Biel shared with E! News. The sons reportedly gave the movie their approval, with Biel relaying their feedback as, "Yeah, it was awesome. Obviously. It was cool."
However, Silas did offer a critique regarding his mother's wardrobe in one scene. "My son Silas was very concerned about the green dress. He was like, 'What are you wearing, Mom? Yuck!'" Biel recounted.
"Matchbox: The Movie," which also features John Cena, premiered on Friday. The film's release comes shortly after Biel and Timberlake celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. Both shared personal tributes to each other on social media to mark the occasion, with Timberlake posting a photo of them holding hands and writing, "14 down. Forever to go." Biel also posted a photo of Timberlake skiing with their children, calling him "the best dad."