14
On paper, I seemed like a really sweet girl who was not very intellectually impressive.
Being 14 was a very defining year for me as a person,Bryce Dallas Howardtells me.
There were a few things that happened that gave me a sense of direction.
The oldest of four children, Howard lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, with her mum and dad.
Growing up, Howard split her time between theatre and basketball, excelling in both.
She was disciplined during her downtime, preferring to focus on her studies and hone her acting craft.
However, her best pal Alice was always on hand to provide some fun.
She introduced me to David Bowie andThe Rocky Horror Picture Show, Howard recalls, fondly.
I experienced a different level of culture because of my brilliant friend.
She has made a name for herself in the industry, having appeared in many high-profile projects.
She has since starred in beloved films such asThe Twilight Saga: Eclipse,The Help, andRocketman.
Since 2015, Howard has portrayed protagonist Claire Dearing in theJurassic Worldfilm franchise.
The latest instalment,Jurassic World Dominion,sees Howard performing all kinds of stunts.
Im intellectually adventurous, but not physically adventurous.
Getting to do that on screen really scratches that itch.
I was getting injured a lot playing basketball, as I was kind of aggressive, she remembers.
I would really go for the ball, often at the expense of my own body.
I broke every single finger except for my thumb.
Take me back to 1995.
Where was home for you and what was your life like at 14?
In 1995, I was going to the Greenwich Country Day school.
The way the school schedule worked, I was able to do sports and theatre.
I did two shows that year:Comedy of ErrorsandGuys and Dolls.
When I got cast in a main role, I was kind of stunned that they picked me.
I was also the co-captain of the varsity basketball team, which built a lot of confidence.
Being 14 was a very important time for me.
What made the year such a pivotal one for you?
On paper, I seemed like a really sweet girl who was not very intellectually impressive.
And yet, I had this rich internal imaginative world.
This is by myself, in my bedroom.
I was teaching myself how to cry on cue.
I was also writing nonstop, but I didnt necessarily share anything with anyone at the time.
At 14, a shift kind of happened, and I came online.
My parents were sort of blown away because they had incredibly low expectations for me as a person.
InJurassic World Dominion, your on-screen daughter, Maisie, is 14.
We witness her testing the boundaries.
Did you have a rebellious streak at that age?
I was very strict with myself about rules.
I still, to this day, have never had a sip of alcohol.
I decided that when I was 14.
I also decided that I wasnt going to date until I was 18.
He was my first boyfriend and is still a dear friend to this day.
[Laughs] He actually ended up being one of my husbands groomsmen at our wedding.
I didnt want to get derailed as a teenager.
Because of that, I didnt do anything wrong.
Well, except that I had a really rude attitude toward my mother.
We had a lot of friction.
They kind of cant do anything right: you think theyre irrational or too strict.
So that was really hard for my parents.
You were 14 whenApollo 13came out.
You were an uncredited extra in the film.
Tell me about that experience.
Being on set with my dad was my favourite thing to do in the world.
I had so much fun onApollo 13.
I was Colin Hanks little buddy because he was 16 years old and a PA on set.
[His dad, Tom Hanks, leads the film.]
But my parents were really smart.
If I was ever rude to my mum, I would get grounded from set.
If you have an attitude problem, then youre not mature enough to be in a professional environment.
They dangled that relatively early with me.
I remember crying because my mum grounded me from set one day.
I was like, Youre ruining my life.
Even then, I had the sense that it [going to set] was really important.
I actually have a funny story about afterApollo 13came out… like tell us all about it.
There was a lot of buzz about the Academy Awards.
It was somewhat assumed that the movie, my dad, and Tom Hanks would be nominated.
But when the nominees were announced [Feb 96], my dad wasnt on the list.
I cant say he was devastated, but he was bummed.
Me, being his kid, I was shattered.
I remember walking into school that morning, and all these people turned and looked at me.
I was like, Oh my God, they know about the Oscars and theyre embarrassed for me.
They had this look of judgement and some of them were giggling.
I thought, What is happening here?
Why am I being judged because my dad wasnt nominated?
Then I looked down, only to see that my wraparound skirt had completely opened up.
Knickers and all were out there.
[Laughs]
A wardrobe malfunction for the ages!
Tell me, if your 14-year-old self were to meet you now, what would she think of you?
I think shed be pretty stoked.
Ive been with my husband for 22 years, Ive got my two kids.
Also, when I was 14, I was a curvy girl, who was really self-confident.
I remember my younger sisters being like, Oh gosh.
You wear these shorter skirts and youre so confident in your body.
I wasnt itty bitty like all of my friends.
