For her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, a 2003 biographical crime drama, Charlize Theron won the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 76th Academy Awards on February 29, 2004. She also received the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe Award in January 2004 for her powerful performance.
Charlize Theron and Renée Zellweger pose with their Oscars at the 76th Academy Awards, celebrating their wins for Monster and Cold Mountain respectively (Credit: BO / Startraksphoto)
Written and directed by Patty Jenkins in her feature directorial debut, the film had its world premiere at the AFI Fest on November 16, 2003. Filming started on February 4, 2003, when Charlize Theron was 27. Her co-star Christina Ricci turned 23 on February 12, 2003.
Christina Ricci (as Selby Wall) and Charlize Theron (as Aileen Wuornos) in Monster (Credit: Newmarket Films)
Transforming Physically and Mentally for the Role
For her role as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, Charlize put on 30 pounds of weight.
Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003), portraying the infamous serial killer with a transformative physical appearance that won her the Academy Award for Best Actress (Credit: Newmarket Films)
“It wasn’t about getting fat. Aileen wasn’t fat,” Theron said in an interview with SPLICEDwire.
“Aileen carried scars on her body from her lifestyle, and if I’d gone to make this movie with my body — physically I’m very athletic — I don’t know that I would have felt the things Aileen felt with her body. It was about getting to a place where I felt closer to how Aileen was living.”
Charlize Theron embodies the intense and violent character of the notorious serial killer in a pivotal scene (Credit: Newmarket Films)
Facing Criticism for Her Weight Gain and Protecting the Film’s Vision
In a November 2019 roundtable discussion with producers for The Hollywood Reporter, Charlize Theron opened up about facing criticism for her weight gain while preparing for her role in Monster.
I started producing on Monster, and it just happened that I felt the need to protect a first-time director [Patty Jenkins], who was really taking a huge risk. The character was very unusual. And initially when we went in to get our financing, it became very clear to me that there was this need for me to step in.
Because I think the financiers actually thought they were basically paying for a hot lesbian movie with me and Christina Ricci. And knowing what Patty wanted to do with it, I knew that we were going to come up against things.
There were a lot of fights. As soon as I started gaining weight, I had one of the financiers call me up. Actually, his wife saw me, and she was like, ‘Did you see Charlize? Have you seen what she looks like?’ And I got that call, like, ‘What’s going on with that?’
Charlize Theron dazzles in a black gown with a fur stole and striking pendant necklace at the premiere of Monster during the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival on February 8, 2004 (Credit: Charles Ruby/ WENN / SCHROEWIG / Mathias Krohn)
Promoting Her New Movies in Style
In May 2012, Charlize Theron promoted her latest movies in New York City wearing the “Decoupata” sandals from Christian Louboutin.
Charlize Theron wears her hair down as she leaves Claridge’s Hotel in London’s Mayfair in London on June 1, 2012 (Credit: Charles Ruby/ WENN / SCHROEWIG / Mathias Krohn)
A few days later, she traveled to London to promote her new movies Snow White and the Huntsman and Prometheus, and we spotted her once again wearing the same pair of Louboutin heels.
Charlize Theron wears leather leggings and a semi-sheer tunic top in London (Credit: Charles Ruby/ WENN / SCHROEWIG / Mathias Krohn)
Charlize paired her “Decoupata” heels in New York with a sleek and simple black dress. This time, she kicked the look up a notch with leather leggings and a semi-sheer tunic-style top.
Charlize Theron’s feet in Christian Louboutin shoes (Credit: Charles Ruby/ WENN / SCHROEWIG / Mathias Krohn)
Unfortunately, this particular style has sold out online.
Christian Louboutin Decoupata Color-Block Leather Ankle Boots, $1,295