Kim Basinger Talks Alec Baldwin Divorce

Kim Basinger recently sat down for an interview with Net-a-Porter's The Edit, where she opened up about her divorce from Alec Baldwin. Here's what she had to say:

“Divorce is hard on a kid, no matter how you cut it. And ours was very public and nasty. So I brought up Ireland in a very unconventional way. I just wanted her to be free. If she wanted to have her friends over and write over the walls with pen, that was fine. I wanted her childhood to be full of love and light and animals and friends.”

She advises women not to be attracted to fantasy men:

“I think it’s possible to date someone when you’re 20 and end up with them when you’re 55. Anything is possible. But my taste in men has changed a lot over the years. When you’re young you’re attracted to the ‘bad boy’, only to find out that they’re actually just bullies or insecure – you’re attracted to fantasies. Now, I’m more reality-based. As a sexual creature I’ve been attracted to a lot of different types, people that others have thought were unattractive. But showing kindness and humor are the most important things to me now. If you have those qualities then I think that makes you attractive.”

On social media:

“Social media has changed everything. There was more mystery before, but now, people just show their butts all over the place. I’ve never been one to share much of my life. It’s a shame how out of hand this industry has become, and where the value system has gone.”

On facing fears:

“It’s funny; I struggle with anxiety in my life, but then I’ll do things that make other people nervous, like skydiving, and they don’t bother me at all. I was fascinated by the snakes we had on the set of

I Dreamed of Africa [2000], and I’ll go swimming way out in the ocean, no problem. But accepting my Oscar [for L.A. Confidential in 1997]? That was terrifying.”  

On anxiety:

“I still get anxious sometimes, but I’ve worked very hard on it so it doesn’t paralyze me like it did before. I’ve never taken medication [for anxiety], so I’ve had to white-knuckle it a few times. I’ve found that it helps if I take the focus away from me – ironic for an actress, I know! That’s why I love being a mom and advocating for animals: that’s when I really feel powerful.”