In a surprising revelation from Kristen Stewart’s early career, her mother, Jules Mann-Stewart, once pleaded with Hollywood legend Jodie Foster to convince a young Kristen to abandon her acting ambitions. This heartfelt plea, rooted in a mother’s concern for her daughter’s future, unfolded during the filming of Panic Room in 2001, when Stewart was just 10 years old. Despite her mother’s apprehensions, Stewart’s talent shone through, propelling her to become one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation by 2025. This article delves into the story of Jules Mann-Stewart’s desperate request, Jodie Foster’s role in Kristen’s early career, and how Stewart defied the odds to carve out a remarkable path in Hollywood, all while balancing her personal life, including her recent marriage to Dylan Meyer.
A Mother’s Concern: Jules Mann-Stewart’s Plea to Jodie Foster
Kristen Stewart’s journey in Hollywood began at a young age, with her first significant role in David Fincher’s Panic Room (2002), where she starred alongside Jodie Foster as her daughter, Sarah Altman. The thriller, which follows a mother and daughter trapped in a secure room during a home invasion, was a breakout moment for Stewart, then only 10 years old. However, behind the scenes, her mother, Jules Mann-Stewart, a script supervisor and filmmaker, was grappling with serious concerns about her daughter’s future in the industry.
Jules, who had worked in Hollywood herself, understood the harsh realities of the entertainment world. Having seen the pressures child actors often face—long hours, intense scrutiny, and the risk of burnout—she feared for Kristen’s well-being. In a 2024 interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Stewart revealed that her mother had turned to Foster, a seasoned actress and director with decades of experience, for help. “My mom was so worried about me being in this industry that she begged Jodie to talk me out of acting,” Stewart recounted, noting that Jules hoped Foster’s influence would steer her toward a different path, perhaps one less fraught with the challenges of fame. “She thought I should explore other options, maybe go to college or try directing instead”.
Foster, who had started acting at age three and navigated her own tumultuous journey as a child star, understood Jules’ concerns. Having experienced the darker side of fame, including the 1981 incident where John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan to impress her, Foster was no stranger to the toll Hollywood could take. In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Foster reflected on her own career, admitting she never fully “fell in love” with acting and had often isolated herself from co-stars to cope with the pressures of the industry. This perspective likely made her empathetic to Jules’ plea, but Foster also recognized Stewart’s natural talent and dedication, even at such a young age.
During the filming of Panic Room, Foster and Stewart developed a close bond. Foster threw Stewart an 11th birthday party with a mariachi band, a gesture that left a lasting impression on the young actress. “Jodie is so sweet. Her face, I don’t know what it is, man. There are certain people that you kind of hold forever,” Stewart said on The Late Show, recalling the warmth Foster showed her. Despite Jules’ request, Foster did not push Stewart to quit. Instead, she offered gentle advice, suggesting she consider other paths like college or directing, but ultimately left the decision to Stewart. “In retrospect, I understand because every time I see a kid on set, I’m like, ‘How about college, man? You maybe want to direct movies?’” Stewart recalled Foster saying.
Kristen Stewart’s Rise: Defying the Odds
Jules Mann-Stewart’s fears were not unfounded. The entertainment industry has a notorious history of chewing up child stars, with many struggling to transition to adult roles or succumbing to the pressures of fame. Yet, Kristen Stewart proved to be an exception. Her performance in Panic Room was a critical success, with reviewers praising her ability to hold her own against Foster, Forest Whitaker, and Jared Leto. “She’s innately likable and refreshingly non-precious, playing the character as a pre-teen you can actually imagine existing,” IndieWire noted in a 2024 retrospective of Stewart’s career.
Following Panic Room, Stewart continued to build her career with roles in films like Speak (2004), where she played a teenager dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault, showcasing her ability to handle heavy, emotional material at a young age. However, it was her casting as Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga (2008-2012) that catapulted her to global stardom. The vampire romance series, based on Stephenie Meyer’s novels, made Stewart a household name but also brought intense scrutiny. Critics often panned her performance, labeling Bella as a “stiff, wet blanket weirdo,” though later analyses acknowledged that Stewart was playing the character as written, delivering moments of humor and real emotion despite the script’s limitations.
The Twilight years were a double-edged sword for Stewart. While the franchise brought her fame and financial success, it also typecast her in the public eye, with many dismissing her acting abilities. “From 2008 to 2012, the prevailing opinion about her on the internet was that she wasn’t a great actor,” IndieWire reported. Yet, Stewart used this period to pivot, choosing roles that showcased her versatility and depth. Post-Twilight, she starred in indie films like Still Alice (2014), where she played the daughter of a woman with Alzheimer’s (Julianne Moore), and Personal Shopper (2016), a haunting exploration of grief. Her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer (2021) earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination, proving her ability to tackle complex, historical figures with nuance.
By 2025, Stewart had firmly established herself as a powerhouse in Hollywood. She crossed a major milestone with her first leading television role as NASA astronaut Sally Ride in The Challenger, a limited series produced by Steven Spielberg, marking a significant step in her 24-year career. She also starred in the post-apocalyptic romance Love Me and the road trip comedy Sacramento, alongside Michael Cera and Maya Erskine, showcasing her range across genres. Reflecting on her journey, Stewart told Rolling Stone in 2024 that her time in indie spaces allowed her to thrive without the pressures Jodie Foster faced as a gay actor in an earlier era. “It goes: Jodie [Foster], me, boygenius,” Stewart said, placing herself in a continuum of queer Hollywood figures who have navigated the industry on their own terms.
A Mother’s Love and a Daughter’s Path
Jules Mann-Stewart’s plea to Jodie Foster, though well-intentioned, ultimately did not sway Kristen from her chosen path. Jules, who had a career behind the camera as a script supervisor and director, knew the grueling demands of the industry firsthand. Her concerns mirrored those of many parents of child actors, particularly given the high-profile cases of burnout and exploitation in Hollywood. Yet, Kristen’s determination and talent were undeniable, and her mother eventually supported her journey, even as she worried about the toll it might take.
Stewart’s relationship with her mother has remained close, despite the early tensions over her career. Jules, who directed the 2012 film K-11, has been a creative influence in Kristen’s life, though she has largely stayed out of the spotlight. In a 2024 interview with People, Stewart hinted at her mother’s continued protective nature, noting that Jules still “cooks all the time” for her, a nod to the nurturing side of their bond. Stewart’s own reflections on her career path reveal a deep understanding of her mother’s concerns. “I cook all the time,” she told People, jokingly adding that if she weren’t an actor, she’d “probably be a caterer,” a career her mother might have preferred for its stability.
Personal Life in 2025: A New Chapter with Dylan Meyer
Beyond her professional triumphs, 2025 marked a significant personal milestone for Kristen Stewart: her marriage to screenwriter Dylan Meyer. The couple tied the knot on April 20, 2025, in an intimate Los Angeles ceremony, nearly four years after Meyer proposed in 2021. Stewart and Meyer, who began dating in 2019, matched in light-colored outfits for the wedding, reflecting their shared aesthetic and deep connection. The ceremony was a private affair, with Stewart previously expressing a desire to “do it ourselves” without an officiant, keeping the moment personal and free of external fanfare.
Meyer, a screenwriter known for her work on films like Moxie (2021), has been a grounding presence in Stewart’s life. The couple’s relationship has been marked by quiet support, with Meyer accompanying Stewart to major events like the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, where Stewart was nominated for Best Actress for Spencer. Their shared moments, such as a 2022 Disneyland trip with friends documented by Ashley Benson, reveal a playful, down-to-earth dynamic. Just days before their wedding, on April 15, 2025, the couple was spotted enjoying a lunch date in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, looking “in good spirits” as they chatted and strolled to a restaurant.
Stewart’s marriage to Meyer comes at a time when she feels both personally and professionally fulfilled. “I’m blessed to have my personal life and career thrive at the same time,” she told ELLE in 2025, reflecting on how Meyer “knocked it out of the park” with her proposal. This balance echoes the contentment Jodie Foster expressed in her own career at 62, a sentiment Stewart seems to share as she navigates her 30s with newfound confidence.
A Legacy of Talent and Resilience
Kristen Stewart’s journey from a child actor to a Hollywood powerhouse is a testament to her resilience and talent, qualities that Jodie Foster recognized even when Jules Mann-Stewart hoped to steer her daughter away from the industry. The plea to Foster, though born out of love and concern, could not dim Stewart’s passion for acting, a passion that has carried her through the highs and lows of fame. From her early days on the set of Panic Room to her 2025 marriage and continued success, Stewart has proven that she was destined for the screen, defying her mother’s fears while honoring the protective love that shaped her.
As Stewart continues to take on challenging roles and break new ground—like her first leading television role in The Challenger—she carries forward the legacy of those who came before her, including Foster, while paving the way for future generations. Her story is one of perseverance, authenticity, and the power of following one’s passion, even when the path is uncertain.
