Jessica Lawson shares how Matthew McConaughey encouraged her to stay in her role for “Dallas Buyers Club.”
Returning to work after welcoming a baby is no small task. New mothers face the heart-wrenching decision of leaving their little ones at home, and for those who breastfeed, finding time to pump milk throughout the day adds an additional layer of stress. After the birth of her third child in 2013, actress Jessica Lawson received an opportunity to star in the film “Dallas Buyers Club,” opposite McConaughey, and she felt she couldn’t pass it up.
Once filming commenced, however, Lawson found it challenging to balance the demands of early motherhood with the rigorous expectations of a leading actress in a major film. She even contemplated stepping away from the role. In a recent interview, Lawson revealed how McConaughey stepped in to help her navigate this tough situation, prioritizing her needs in a way that will resonate with mothers everywhere.
Returning to Work
During her chat on “Conversations with Kelly,” Lawson explained that she had been on a career break to focus on her family with her then-partner. She accepted the part after her agent encouraged her to get back to work, given that she had taken a significant amount of time off. “So I took it, and that was why,” she stated. “It was time for me to go back to work.”
However, since she was still nursing her baby boy, the hectic shooting schedule made it hard for her to find moments to pump. “There was never a 10-minute break,” she lamented. Any mother who has had to delay a pumping session can empathize with the discomfort of engorgement. “My breasts were freaking out,” she shared. “We were shooting a light-hearted scene, and I just started crying, saying, ‘I have to quit. I need to go home and be with my kids. I can’t do this anymore.’”
Support from McConaughey
Recognizing her distress, McConaughey, a devoted father himself, approached her and asked, “What’s going on with you?” He then requested a break in filming so Lawson could pump in privacy. “From then on, whenever I needed to, I would give him a signal, and I’d take care of it,” she recounted. “He said, ‘You can do both. You’ve got this.’”
Lawson expressed her admiration for how he handled the situation. “How much do I love that guy? A lot,” she added with warmth.
Additional Resources
If you’re looking for more insights, check out this post on home insemination and explore this resource for more information on pregnancy. And for those planning a wedding, this site offers excellent advice and insights.
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In summary, Jessica Lawson’s experience with Matthew McConaughey on the set of “Dallas Buyers Club” highlights the importance of understanding and support in the workplace, especially for new mothers. McConaughey’s willingness to accommodate her needs allowed Lawson to pursue her career while still caring for her family, a sentiment that resonates with many working moms.