Actress Winona Ryder gained attention – The arrest had significant implications.
Winona Rydernow 52, has spoken again about how her career in Hollywood took a significant hit following her shoplifting arrest in 2001. In an interview with Esquire Magazine, she admitted that it had “some major repercussions.”
“I just withdrew”
When asked how she handled the matter, she replied, “I just backed off.” Ryder was arrested and charged with stealing about $5,500 worth of merchandise from a store in Beverly Hills, California. After her 2002 conviction for grand larceny and shoplifting, she was sentenced to three years' probation, a fine and work. They then decided to retire from acting and move from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
At first she thought she had simply made a mistake with the “paperwork,” but when she learned that they would eventually go to prison, she was shocked. “I thought, 'What is this?'” she recalled.
Surprised by the hostile online environment
During her time away from the industry, Ryder was shocked by the aggressive online environment towards young actresses. She felt that the industry and society's attitudes towards what is acceptable and praised were changing. In an interview with Net-A-Porter in 2016, she also spoke about her Hollywood break, saying that it was exactly what she needed at the time. “Mentally, I must have been at a point where I just had to stop,” she said. They didn't make any serious mistakes, but it gave her the time she desperately needed to return to San Francisco and pursue other interests.
Winona Ryder returned to the big screen in 2006 with supporting roles. Her latest film, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” is currently in theaters. The world premiere took place on August 28, 2023 at the Venice Film Festival.
Following her shoplifting arrest and subsequent conviction, Winona Ryder expressed her dismay at the hostile online environment towards young actresses during her hiatus. She sensed a shift in the industry and society's attitude towards acceptable behaviour and praise. Looking back on her hiatus, she said in an interview with Net-A-Porter in 2016, “Mentally I must have been at a point where I just had to stop.” Winona Ryder was shocked to learn that she would eventually go to prison after making a “paperwork” error.
