Winona Ryder talks about her experience in police custody
In the 1990s, Winona Ryder was a renowned young actress in Hollywood, receiving numerous awards and dating co-stars such as Johnny Depp and Matt Damon. But her life took an unexpected turn when she was caught shoplifting.
In a candid interview years later, Ryder reflected on how her career stalled after her arrest. Speaking to Esquire, she admitted, “It had a massive impact.” When asked how she dealt with it, she simply replied, “I guess I just checked out.”
In 2002, facing charges for allegedly stealing $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Beverly Hills store, Ryder was sentenced to three years' probation, a fine and community service for grand larceny and shoplifting. She said goodbye to Hollywood and moved to San Francisco.
At first she thought she had made a trivial mistake, mainly a paperwork issue. But when the possibility of jail time loomed, she was shocked. “I was really confused,” she recalled. “I thought, 'What are you talking about?'”
“The break I desperately need”
Using her time away from the spotlight, Ryder observed changes in the industry. She was shocked by the hateful online comments that young actresses were subjected to. “I was really shocked by the change in tone,” she said. “It seemed like there had been a shift in standards and rewards within the industry.”
In a 2016 interview with Net-A-Porter, Ryder said her Hollywood break was exactly what she needed. “I need it,” she admitted. “On a psychological level, I must have been ready to quit.” Although she didn't make any serious mistakes, the liability offered her the valuable time she needed to rediscover her roots in San Francisco and discover new passions.
Winona Ryder returned to the film industry in 2006, playing minor roles. Her latest film, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” is currently playing in theaters around the world. The film premiered on Wednesday at the Venice International Film Festival.
After the shoplifting, Ryder experienced a significant career setback, which made the film premiere of Beetlejuice an opportunity to prove herself again. Despite the theft charge, Ryder saw the Hollywood break as “the break I desperately needed” to reconnect with her roots and discover new passions.
