For many years, marie claire ran a column titled, ‘The Women Who Made Me,’ a space where celebrities could reflect on the incredible women who had shaped, inspired and empowered them to be where they are today. While their answers were often unexpected, there was one person that was woven into every interview: mum.
To celebrate Mother’s Day this year, we trawled through the archives of ten high-profile celebrities to spotlight their passionate and somewhat hilarious odes to their mothers.
From Kendall Jenner’s infamous momager, to Amy Shark’s heart warming tribute to her nan who stepped into a mother role during her childhood, these nine celebrities share what they love about their mums.
Samara Weaving
“I always wanted to be an actress, so I’m grateful that Mum (Dr Helena Bezzina) never doubted me. After I found out that you could make a career out of acting there was no stopping me. But when there were times where I wanted to quit and go home, Mum would say, “Sam, it’s not a big deal. You’re not the centre of the universe. You can come home if you want, but you may as well give it a go.
“She grounded me and made me get out of my head and realise that none of this really matters. Mum’s a really important role model for me. She is such a strong woman and has overcome a lot of hardships. We had a sort of rocky relationship when I was younger, where I drifted off for a while and then came back when I was emotionally mature. As I get older, I’m beginning to realise that we’re quite similar. I love how ambitious she is [Bezzina is a creative-industries professional and academic], but she also doesn’t take life too seriously. She always laughs at me and that’s really important. I think you need to be laughed at daily.”
Kendall Jenner
“My mom, Kris, is a really inspirational person. Something I really admire her for is her ability to wear so many hats. She’s a mom, she’s a momager but she also has a whole bunch of kids (and grandkids) and she deals with all of us on a daily basis. At least one of us are always calling her [each day] with a personal problem or a work problem and she’s juggling all of us at the same time. I really admire her strength and ability to give us all the attention I think we need at that time. I would go crazy. I’d lose my mind if I had that many kids who always had something to talk about or freak out about, so she’s really strong for that. And she can handle a lot, which is really cool.”
Jessica Mauboy
“Growing up, my mum Theresa was never embarrassed or scared to show her sensitive side or vulnerability, but she was still tough. I think losing her own mum at 10 years old meant she had to be. It means that she is boisterous about what she believes in and stands for. One day when I was about 11, I came home from school and I could hear my mum and aunties talking about a singing competition. I overheard her say that she wasn’t going to tell my dad. My dad wasn’t really into taking me to things to perform but my mum saw the potential in me and realised that I really loved it.
When we got there, I looked around the room and there were people 20 or 30 years older than me tuning their guitars. I turned to my mum and said, “I don’t want to do this! I’m not prepared!” Mum pulled out the CD that I’d been rehearsing with my choir teacher. It was the backing track to “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. I was crumbling on the inside and Mum told me, “No, bub, you know this song. You can do this.”
I ended up winning $500 that day and it meant everything. It was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it always makes me think, “Thank God for Mum” because without her I wouldn’t have understood that I could make a career in music and turn it into something more than just a hobby. I think that really encapsulates her fierceness and the way she will make something happen. She will always find a way.”
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
“Growing up, I can’t remember a time when Mum Betty wasn’t there for us. Every school event, dance lesson and extracurricular activity, Mum would drive us here, there and everywhere. Being a mum myself, I now understand the whole “taxi mum” saying. She gave up so much for us girls and always put herself last. Sometimes I wish that she gave herself some more attention, love and kindness. If I’ve inherited a quality of Mum’s, I hope I’ve been lucky enough to inherit her kind heart. One of the things I appreciate most about Mum is that she always took my goals and ambitions seriously and never discouraged me from going after them.
No matter what they were or how long it took, the court never wavered, not for one second. She’s so selfless and always listened and cared for us wholeheartedly, which I don’t take for granted. Well, I may have for a bit there. But my relationship with her now is stronger than ever. One of the biggest lessons I learnt from Mum was to treat people the way you would like to be treated, with love, respect and kindness. That’s something I live by every day and I’m going to pass down to my kids.”
Nicola Coughlan
“I go back to Ireland as much as I can to spend time with my mum and my sister. We slag each other off … but we’re super, super close. They get updates on everything I’m doing.”
Vance Joy
“My mum, Gabrielle Keogh was a high school teacher. She taught literature and English history and she was really great at her job. Although I didn’t go to her school, as her son I still benefited from her talents. When I would write my essays and struggled to find the right words, Mum would dictate such clear, powerful, beautiful sentences. They were absolute gold. I definitely inherited a love of language and having that emotional response to music and books from her. During my career she has helped me write and come up with some of the most important and best lines in my songs. Months before I wrote my song ‘Fire and the Flood’,
Mum had an idea. She said, “Everything is fine when your head is resting next to mine.” I tucked that line away in my phone and then, months later, I was in the studio and it came to this moment where I needed a line to put in the chorus – and that fit perfectly. I remember being very excited. It instantly took me back to those moments in high school when Mum would tell me how to write the conclusion of an essay. I always feel so indebted to her because her words are the shining jewels in my songs.”
Amy Shark
“Since I was born, Nan (Winifred Searle) has been the most consistent person in my life and my voice of reason. My parents had me when they were young – they were babies having babies. And my mum didn’t know what she was doing, but luckily my nan did. She was just so nurturing.
As I got older, she was the person who fixed everything. Whenever I was in trouble with school, or later with life decisions and coming up against financial difficulties, she knew exactly what to do and was there to help me every time I needed it. She still is.
Nan is pretty old school, which means she’s really honest. When I told her I was pursuing a career in music, she would always say to me, “Make sure that you have a backup because life is really tough.” But she has also always 100 per cent supported me. Although I don’t know if she totally understands what I do. Whenever I leave for tour, she always says, “Have a good holiday!” and I just laugh.
But she does love music. The other day I was listening to Nina Simone with her and we were talking about the lyric, “You’ve got to learn to leave the table, when love’s no longer being served.” Nan went deep about how important that message is in life. I’ve learnt so much from her. I admire how brave she is. She has inspired me to be fearless and strong.”
Miah Madden
“When my mum was 22 she had me and then we lost my dad in a car accident when I was two, so we pretty much grew up together. She has been this wonder woman in my life. She’s my biggest role model.”
Natalie Imbruglia
“My personal trainer is the woman in my life who has shaped me the most. Well, she’s still working on my shape … No, in all seriousness, my mum, Maxine, for her strength and resilience and for never giving up.”
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