Winona Ryder: Reflecting on Her Shoplifting Arrest and Its Impact

Actress Winona Ryder has recently shared her perspective on her infamous 2001 shoplifting arrest at a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills.

In an interview with Porter magazine, she spoke about the incident, its effect on her career and well-being, and how it differed from public perception.

Ryder explained that psychologically, she was in a place where she wanted to take a break from everything.

While she didn't delve into the specifics of what happened, she emphasized that it wasn't as it appeared to the public.

She stated, “And it wasn't like the crime of the century!

But it allowed me time that I really needed, where I went back to San Francisco and got back into things that …

I just had other interests, frankly.”

The actress, who was found guilty of grand theft and vandalism for stealing merchandise worth over $5,500, expressed her struggle to distance herself from the '90s image she had cultivated through her earlier film roles.

She referenced a line from the movie “First Wives Club,” saying, “It's that line in ‘First Wives Club' ― ‘There are three ages for women: babe, district attorney, and Driving Miss Daisy!'

I just never got to play that district attorney!”

Despite the challenges, Ryder successfully returned to acting a few years later.

Currently, she stars in the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things.”

Interestingly, she revealed that while working on the show, she spent a significant amount of time in tears, fully immersing herself in her character's emotions.

Ryder admitted, “I spent two months basically crying every day, I was delirious!

Because I've never been able to do that method thing, you know?

I actually have to really cry.”

Perhaps actor Jared Leto, renowned for his method acting techniques, could offer some advice to Ryder in this regard.