Julia Roberts Embraces 'Empty Nest' Life with a Touch of Humor

JULIA ROBERTS EXPOSED: THE HOLLYWOOD QUEEN'S SECRET LIFE AS AN EMPTY NESTER

In a rare and revealing interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Julia Roberts opened up about her highly-anticipated transition into empty nestdom. The Oscar-winning actress, who turns 58 this month, candidly shared her experiences as the mother of three adult children - fraternal twins Phinnaeus and Hazel, 20, and son Henry, 18 - from her 23-year marriage to second husband Daniel Moder.

Colbert, known for his wicked humor, couldn't resist poking fun at Moder's alleged struggles with Roberts' emotional attachment to their kids. "At any point has your husband had to find you in your daughter's bedroom turning slow circles, crying to yourself?" the comedian asked, sending the audience into a fit of laughter.

Roberts playfully confessed, "I had to guide [my wife] Evie gently out of the bedroom, closed the door, and taped it shut." While she seemed less than comfortable sharing her sentimental moments with Colbert, Roberts couldn't help but gush about her love for her kids. "It's all fun, honestly. It's also delicious. My kids, I know everyone thinks their kids are great. Well... I think my kids are great," she exclaimed.

But what really got our attention was Roberts' admission that even as an empty nester, she still loves spending quality time with her children. "Fortunately we have had lots of visits along the way of this empty nest," she noted, sparking rumors about Moder's patience level. When Colbert asked if her kids enjoy her company too, Roberts coyly replied, "I think they do. They indicate that."

The fashion icon and Lancôme brand ambassador made a stunning appearance on The Late Show in a custom grey double-breasted pantsuit featuring a bedazzled necktie and black patent leather pumps, courtesy of stylist Elizabeth Stewart. Hairstylist Serge Normant coiffed her signature ginger locks into an elegant updo, while make-up artist Genevieve Herr ensured she was camera-ready for the HD close-up.

Roberts' latest film project, Luca Guadagnino's psychological thriller After the Hunt, has hit US theaters on October 17. The movie, which also stars Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Chloë Sevigny, currently boasts a dismal 48% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

But what's really juicy is the rumored scandal surrounding Roberts' second marriage to Moder. In 2000, they met on the set of Gore Verbinski's film The Mexican, when she was still in a relationship with Benjamin Bratt and he was married to Vera Steimberg. According to New Idea, Moder allegedly paid a significant sum - reportedly $200K - to convince Roberts to sign divorce papers in May 2002, just two months before their wedding in Taos, NM.

When Oprah Winfrey asked Julia about the rumored breakup of Bratt's marriage in 2003, she denied any involvement. "No. I'm an easy person to point the finger at— 'She did it' — and I see that. I don't begrudge people the easy finger-point. It just doesn't happen to be so." Roberts continued, "He sorted his whole thing out, separate and apart from me. And I sorted my life out, separate and apart from him. I think that's the only reason we were able to ultimately fall in love with each other and be together."

Interestingly, Julia and Daniel have collaborated on eight films, including the poorly received 2015 crime drama Secret in Their Eyes.

As for her first marriage to country crooner Lyle Lovett, it ended abruptly after just 21 months in 1995. And as for Moder, well... we can't help but wonder if he's still paying the price for his alleged $200K "investment" in Roberts' heart.

Sources:

• The Scholarly Note
• After the Hunt (2023)