Patricia Arquette Rejects Hollywood’s ‘It’ Girl Label: Calls It Risky

Patricia Arquette has always been uneasy about being chosen for roles based on her striking appearance, as seen in films like “True Romance.”

In a recent exclusive interview with Page Six, the Academy Award-winning actress looked back on her early years in the industry and how she resisted the push to become the next big sensation in Hollywood.

“I was very aware and intentional about moving away from the ingenue typecasting as soon as I could,” said Arquette, who played Alabama Whitman in the 1993 movie. “To me, beauty was not only intimidating and somewhat frightening, but it also seemed superficial and ephemeral.”

Arquette expressed excitement about her role in the 2001 film “Human Nature,” where she portrayed a writer afflicted with hypertrichosis. She appreciated the role because it allowed her to step away from her beauty, being “covered in hair.”

“Being defined by my looks was something I wanted to avoid,” the now 57-year-old actress confessed. “I never saw myself as beautiful, yet I was treated as such, which always caused me great internal conflict.”

Years later, this conflict over beauty nearly influenced her decision not to cast model Camila Morrone as the lead in her first film as a director, “Gonzo Girl.”

The movie, which was recently shown at the Tribeca Festival, revolves around a “young aspiring writer who becomes an assistant to a notorious novelist,” according to IMDb.

“I initially hesitated, thinking, ‘Oh, her beauty could be a distraction.’ Then I questioned my own reverse prejudice,” Arquette recalled. “It’s like saying, ‘You’re attractive, and that’s all you’re going to get. You can’t also be a talented actor.’

Yet, Arquette did choose Morrone for the role of the assistant to a renowned, erratic writer.

The film is adapted from Cheryl Della Pietra’s 2015 novel, which is inspired by her experiences working for the legendary gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Actor Willem Dafoe stars as the Thompson-inspired writer.

Arquette, who both directs and acts in the movie, told Page Six she has always been a huge admirer of Thompson, the writer behind “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” who passed away in 2005.

“I consider him a genius,” she enthused. “He was significantly influential in my personal development.”

She emphasized that the film’s themes of co-dependence and addiction are very meaningful to her. “These issues aren’t often explored in films, yet they are pervasive in real life,” she noted.

In addition to her directorial efforts, Arquette’s recent television roles have significantly boosted her career.

She has received multiple awards for her performances in “The Act,” “Escape at Dannemora,” and “Severance.” She was particularly surprised by the success of “Severance,” especially considering its timing post-COVID. “It’s claustrophobic, and I thought people wouldn’t want that coming out of the pandemic. I was clearly mistaken!” she remarked.

“I feel incredibly fortunate,” she continued, reflecting on her sustained success in the industry. “I’m truly amazed by the longevity of my career.”