Almost two decades after making her international breakthrough as cheerleader temptress Angela Hayes in the 1999 film American Beauty, a role that earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Mena Suvari graced the 2016 Directors Guild of America Awards.
Although Mena attended the event as a presenter, she revealed her ambitions to step into the director’s chair.
Mena Suvari radiates elegance with soft curls and natural makeup, perfectly complementing her floral-embellished Bibhu Mohapatra dress at the 2016 Directors Guild of America Awards on February 6, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
In a 2018 Vanity Fair interview, Mena Suvari reflected on how, at just 12 years old, she felt pressured to present herself in a certain way, despite being so young, as she navigated the expectations placed on her.
“I was in New York when I was 12, walking down the streets with heels on. I had this impression that that is what I had to offer. . . . Ultimately, I was just a young girl. But I was so used to playing the game,” she revealed.
“That’s probably why I got the role [of Angela],” she added. American Beauty is the first film in which she appeared naked on screen.
Mena Suvari in the iconic rose petal scene from the 1999 film American Beauty, where she portrays Angela Hayes (Credit: DreamWorks Pictures)
Filming started on December 14, 1998, when Mena Suvari was 19. She was born on February 13, 1979, in Newport, Rhode Island, and turned 20 on February 13, 1999.
Mena Suvari as Angela Hayes in American Beauty (1999), delivered a captivating and intense performance that earned critical acclaim (Credit: DreamWorks Pictures)
At the Directors Guild of America Awards, Mena hit the red carpet in a floral-embellished pale pink satin dress by Bibhu Mohapatra. The dress featured cap sleeves, an ankle-length hem, and a tulle inset.
Mena Suvari stuns in a floral-embellished pale pink satin dress by Bibhu Mohapatra at the 2016 Directors Guild of America Awards (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The blonde beauty paired the satin dress with a rectangular clutch from Edie Parker and rose gold B Brian Atwood “Catania” mirrored ankle strap sandals.
Mena Suvari showcases her feet in rose gold B Brian Atwood “Catania” mirrored ankle strap sandals (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The dress reminds you of her iconic “American Beauty” rose petal scene, right?
Mena Suvari complements her floral-embellished dress with a chic rectangular Edie Parker clutch and a sophisticated nude manicure (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The DGA gave Mena, who presented at the awards, a small token of appreciation. The actress took a photo of the token and uploaded it on Instagram with the caption, “A girl can dream… #DGAawards.”
Mena Suvari received a miniature director’s chair as a token of appreciation at the 68th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards (Credit: Mena Suvari’s Instagram)
Mena’s gorgeous metallic sandals by B Brian Atwood are no longer available online, but you can check out our alternative picks at Nordstrom and Zappos.
B Brian Atwood ‘Catania’ Mirrored Ankle Strap Sandals
Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Nicara’ 140 Sandal, $751.88
Sophia Webster ‘Lilico’ Floral Leather Sandal in Rose Gold, $325