Winona Ryder recounts her police detention experience
Back in the 1990s, Winona Ryder was a renowned young actress in Hollywood, earning numerous accolades and romancing co-stars like Johnny Depp and Matt Damon. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she was caught red-handed shoplifting.
In a candid interview years later, Ryder reflected on how her career took a nosedive following her arrest. Speaking to Esquire, she admitted, "That had a massive impact." Asked about how she coped, she simply replied, "I guess I just checked out."
Facing charges for allegedly stealing $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Beverly Hills store, Ryder was convicted of felony grand theft and misdemeanor shoplifting in 2002. The court slapped her with a three-year probation period, a fine, and community service. She bid adieu to Hollywood and relocated to San Francisco.
Initially, she believed she'd made a trivial mistake, mostly a paperwork issue. But when the prospect of jail time loomed, she was taken aback. "I was really confused," she reminisced. "I thought, 'What are you talking about?'"
"The break I desperately needed"
Admitting that she needed a break, Ryder used her time away from the limelight to observe changes in the industry. She felt appalled by the vitriolic online comments targeted at young actresses. "I was really taken aback by the change in tone," she remarked. "It seemed like there was a shift in standards and rewards within the industry."
In an interview with Net-A-Porter in 2016, Ryder confessed that her Hollywood hiatus was exactly what she needed. "I needed it," she admitted. "On a psychological level, I must have been ready to stop." Though she hadn't committed a heinous crime, her arrest provided her with the valuable time she needed to reconnect with her roots in San Francisco and explore new passions.
Winona Ryder re-entered the film scene in 2006, appearing in minor roles. Her recent film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," is now playing in theaters worldwide. The film had its grand premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday.
After the shoplifting incident, Ryder's career experienced a significant downturn, making the film premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" a comeback opportunity to prove her worth once again. Despite the theft charges, Ryder saw the Hollywood hiatus as "the break I desperately needed" to reconnect with her roots and explore new passions.
