‘Matilda’ Star Mara Wilson, 36, Stuns in Red Dress That Looks Like a ‘Hair Bow’ at Rare Public Appearance

Mara Wilson, known for her role in “Matilda,” appeared in a stunning red dress that echoed the iconic hair bow from the film. Her rare public appearance in this striking attire, paired with long earrings resembling stacked books, drew admiration from fans who showered her with compliments, praising her beauty.

Mara Wilson was the cute little girl in “Matilda.” She got into acting thanks to her mom Suzie Wilson and starred in other productions such as “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “A Simple Wish,” and “A Time to Heal.”

Mara turned her back on showbiz years after Matilda was released when she gave up acting to pursue other passions. Recently, the 36-year-old made a public appearance, sparking reactions from her fans who complimented her look.

On March 23, 2024, Mara Wilson shared that the crew of “Matilda” got back together the previous night for the live screening of the film with a full orchestra. Danny DeVito was narrating the incredible performance that took place at the New Jersey Symphony.

Mara shared the pictures on her Instagram page and wrote, “I love New Jersey, and I love my dear friends Kiami, Jaki, and Kira, and of course, Danny and Rhea, my favorite aunt and uncle, forever.” The former child star also took pictures with fans.

Her online fans were excited to see her and commented, “Awesome, wish I was there! And you look stunning in that red dress.” Mara replied to this comment, noting that it was “reminiscent of the red hair bow” she wore as Matilda. Another fan pointed this out, “This looks awesome sauce! The red dress definitely reminds me of the red hair ribbon!”

Mara admitted that she wore the red dress to remind fans about the red hair bow tie her character wore in the film. “You look stunning,” jotted a fan. Fans said they love Mara’s dress, adding, “You are so beautiful.”

Another fan realized that Mara had won earrings yet she never put them on in public. The movie star replied, “I don’t wear earrings very often because I have a nickel allergy! But this time I found some nickel-free earrings that look like a stack of books.” Mara decided to wear these earrings as she felt like they were perfect for the occasion.

In 2016, Mara opened up about her life after “Matilda.” Soon after the film wrapped, the actress’s mother succumbed to cancer, just 13 months after she was diagnosed. After her demise, Mara’s father Michael Wilson became protective of her to the point where he wouldn’t permit her to cross the street alone.

For several years thereafter, the actress found herself declining most of the scripts offered to her. The characters portrayed were often too juvenile for her taste. At the tender age of 11, she was joyous at the sight of a script entitled “Thomas and The Magic Railroad,” saying, “Ugh, I thought. How cute.”

Mara, once celebrated as a beautiful child star, underwent a significant transformation. By the age of 13, compliments on her appearance had become scarce, replaced instead by hurtful remarks. She was also halfway between a child and an adult most people didn’t think she was cute anymore. She recalled, “People didn’t know what to do with me, and I knew it, and I felt it, and it really hurt.”

The actress’s sixth-grade crush had also branded her as ugly, film critics deemed her “odd looking,” and a boy at her preteen day camp cruelly remarked, “You were Matilda? Heh. You’ve gained a little weight since then!” Devastated, she sought solace in tears, seeking refuge in a milkshake.

In moments of solitude, Mara grappled with the realization that acting no longer brought her the joy it once did. Despite this inner turmoil, she felt compelled to persist in her career as it remained the one constant in her ever-changing life. With her family, body, and circumstances shifting, acting seemed like the sole anchor in her tumultuous existence.

However, things didn’t improve as Mara was soon cast to play a fat girl with a fat joke on every page of the script. That’s when she grasped the reality of her situation. At 13, appearance held newfound significance, not just in the realm of entertainment but in everyday life. The girls considered pretty at school exuded an aura of superiority that only intensified with puberty.

Mara had always found solace in her career, a domain where she excelled beyond her peers. But as her career began to falter, she faced the disheartening realization that she was now just another quirky, awkward girl, overshadowed by her peers’ conventional beauty.

With a year passing without any callbacks, the actress’s father broached a topic they had both been avoiding, “Maybe you should just focus on school right now.”

At 16, Mara expected to get back to acting but she still struggled with her appearance. She focused on the real world, which was more forgiving. Plenty of boys showed interest in her, and life became somewhat easier for her at New York University, where she found love with Sam, a film student possessing curly dark hair and warm brown eyes.

Yet, despite her budding romance and academic pursuits, Mara’s insecurities about her appearance persisted, haunted by the shadows of her past. Uncertain of her desires, the actress grappled with the fear of relinquishing her acting career due to perceived inadequacies in her looks.

In a moment of vulnerability, she confided in Sam about her contemplations of plastic surgery, even harboring fleeting fantasies of a fortuitous accident that would justify reconstructive procedures. Sam’s response was one of unconditional support, reassuring her of her beauty and affirming his love for her just as she was.

However, Mara struggled to internalize his words, feeling as though her self-esteem was an insatiable void. This strain gradually eroded their relationship, culminating in a heated argument where Sam candidly expressed in the last fight before their breakup, “Mara, the one thing I could never stand about you is how much you put yourself down.”

Now, Mara sometimes wished she had stopped acting after “Matilda.” “I think that was really the peak for me. There wasn’t really anywhere that I could go from there,” she confessed. The actress also believed she had begun aging out of acting and should have taken time to re-evaluate her options.

However, Mara couldn’t give up acting after the loss of her mom, Suzie Wilson, because by pushing on, films became the only constant thing in her life. “I was very depressed, I was very anxious, I can barely even remember Matilda coming out. I only have vague memories of the premiere, and it was really hard for me,” she added.

Mara found herself growing disillusioned with acting and Hollywood, even as they remained a source of stability in her life. When the curtain fell and the cameras stopped rolling, she felt adrift, unsure of what to do next. Acting had become both a refuge and a burden, leaving her grappling with conflicting emotions about her future.

The actress faced all these challenges but managed to swim to the shore. She is now a writer, with published books, some of which she has narrated. Mara shares part of her life now on her Instagram, where she is thriving in her current passions and career.