Madame Figaro.-In the video Lesson of worthproduced by L'Oréal Paris, you express your doubts and anxieties in front of the camera. This vulnerability is a facet of you that you rarely reveal in the media. How do you manage to have confidence in yourself?
Leïla Bekhti.- Confidence in me is not there every day. I wouldn't say I feel confident. Before, I could be stressed on some occasions, but now I defuse things a little more. I wish I had figured that out sooner. For example, after a failed red carpet, I tell myself that "It doesn't matter." I'm less afraid of reactions: I know people can be mean. You also have to take care of yourself, consider yourself a little more. I'm still working on it.
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Motherhood gave me confidence
Leïla Bekhti
Has motherhood had an impact on your self-esteem?
Motherhood gave me confidence. I feel like the Hulk with my kids! Being a mom changed my life. It is a personal accomplishment. It's not an end in itself for some people, but it was for me. To be very honest, the only big fear in the world I have today is that something will happen to my children or to the people I love.
See alsoCindy Bruna: "Having self-confidence is a daily job"
In video: Leïla Bekhti's confidences at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival
What has motherhood changed in your relationship with your image and your body?
I was pregnant for almost three and a half years. I gained 27 kilos for each of my pregnancies. I said to myself: "I eat for two"... So I ate everything I could. I lied to my relatives who were worried because I had gained weight. I said, "My obstetrician told me there was no problem." When in reality, he was saying to me: "Leila, can we calm down a little?" (laughs). I discovered my body differently, I found beauty in it. It's a period when I felt good even if obviously, there are times when you want to lose your pounds. And then I went back to the sport. I passed burgers, mince parmentier, spaghetti bolognese, lasagna and fries... Just a salad with a little bread. Because that was the moment I felt like it.
Has your professional life been impacted by these upheavals?
I was lucky. I did a lot of pregnancy with my extra 20 kilos, and having extra weight was not a subject to play my characters. That was great. When Gilles [Lellouche, editor's note] offered me the role of Amanda in his film The Big Bath, I told him: "I'm pregnant, I've gained a lot of weight." He said, "I don't care." It was obvious to him. Same for Jonathan [Cohen, Editor's note] for the shooting of The Flame and even for the film Les Intranquilles by Joachim La fosse. It was important not to make it a subject for the character and I liked it.
Sisterhood is also important beyond our inner circle. I love women, I admire them, I love telling them that they are beautiful.
Leïla Bekhti
The clan of L'Oréal Paris muses is growing and welcoming new talented women. Is the notion of sisterhood important to you, especially in the film industry?
Sisterhood is super important. It's something that has always spoken to me. I grew up with that, I have a group of childhood friends. I also think about the sisterhood with my actress friends like Adèle [Exarchopoulos], Géraldine [Nakache]... It is no longer just the job that binds us, they have become my sisters. But sisterhood is also important beyond our inner circle. I love women, I admire them, I love telling them that they are beautiful. If we start by being kind to each other, they will understand even more, on the other side.
Which beauty models did you grow up with as a little girl or teenager?
My mother, for starters. Cindy Crawford, too. I remember drawing myself a fake mole like her... But I looked like anything but Cindy Crawford, you can imagine. Julia Roberts, I think she's very generous. Tomorrow, I have the chance to meet Kate Winslet, who is one of my favorite actresses. She is one of the most beautiful actresses in the world. She gives everything to her characters. It's an inspiration to me.
Leïla Bekhti and Adèle Exarchopoulos, the Cover Story
In pictures
View slideshow07 photos
View slideshow07 photos
What films are you most looking forward to seeing at this year's Cannes Film Festival?
Leila Bekhti.- Ken Loach is one of my favorite directors, I can't wait to see his new film [The Old Oak, Editor's note]. I asked L'Oréal Paris to climb the stairs that evening in particular. I really want to see Justine Triet's film, Anatomy of a Fall. There are many others that I want to see, even out of competition. The time to love by Kattell Quillévéré, The animal kingdom by Thomas Cailley... And it's not just because there's Adele [Excarchopoulos] playing in it! I love this director.
