The actor | Rachel McAdams
From Mean Girls to The Notebook to Spotlight, Rachel McAdams has made a career for herself that is anything but predictable. Going after complicated characters and imbuing them with her trademark charm and depth, McAdams brought that same ethos to a childhood classic this year. Transforming Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret into a film is no easy feat, considering how many people grew up on that book. But McAdams brought a new energy to Margaret’s mother, Barbara, one that in part reflected her own experience as a mother so far. Whether it’s advocating for the environment (the star was one of a few to advocate for TIFF to drop RBC as a sponsor this year due to their abysmal record as one of the most polluting companies in the country), abandoning retouching and filters on magazine covers and in photoshoots, or marching to the beat of her own drum when it comes to her career — she still lives in Toronto and has been spotted riding around the city on her bike with her kids in tow — McAdams’ inspiration touches every aspect of her life.
By Kayleen McAdams —Sister, make-up artist
When Rachel first approached me to do her makeup on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, I had a two-month-old at home and was apprehensive about juggling all aspects of work and motherhood. She assured me that it would be a rewarding experience from both a career perspective and a personal perspective, and it really was. On a daily basis, we balanced the scales of both, just as Barb Simon, Rachel’s character, did. Rachel embodied that role because she was living a version of it every day. While her children are much younger than Margaret, there is a shared connectivity that allowed her to bring all aspects of motherhood to that character. It felt like having a window into the future and made us grateful to return home to our babies and hold them a little tighter every night. Growing up with Rachel and getting to see her become the person she is today, I’ve always admired that she has such a strong internal compass. She never waivers from what she believes in and holds true to her sense of self and what she hopes to see in the world and be in the world. I think that genuine authenticity shines through and allows people to connect to her. And her passion for her family and for Canada are unparalleled. Being recognized and honoured by “home” means the most of all.
For more of Toronto’s most inspiring women of 2023, click here.Â