The triumphant return of Winona Ryder: Beetlejuice cements her comeback after shoplifting shame – and she’s finally found happiness after ‘wild’ lovers including Johnny Depp

The triumphant return of Winona Ryder: Beetlejuice cements her comeback after shoplifting shame - and she's finally found happiness after 'wild' lovers including Johnny Depp

As I delve into the captivating life of Winona Ryder, I am struck by her remarkable journey through Hollywood and beyond. Her relationship with Scott Mackinlay Hahn seems to be a breath of fresh air in her life, providing a sense of tranquility after the tumultuous relationship with Johnny Depp.

In the early ’90s, Winona Ryder was a prominent figure in Hollywood, having starred in successful films like Beetlejuice and Heathers, and dating the popular heartthrob Johnny Depp, who had a permanent symbol of his affection for her. This made it appear as if the entire world was within her grasp.

Following several eccentric debut performances, she solidified her position as a genuine leading actress in historical dramas like The Age of Innocence, where she received an Oscar nomination, and the following year, she was recognized with a Best Actress nomination for Little Women.

However swiftly her fame soared, it plummeted just as rapidly due to a series of personal problems. These challenges made it difficult for casting directors to consider her.

Simultaneously experiencing a tumultuous relationship with her fellow actor Johnny Depp and multiple encounters with the law due to shoplifting allegations, Winona Ryder temporarily withdrew from public scrutiny.

Despite securing several notable guest roles, such as the bitter ballet dancer in Black Swan, Winona faced numerous years of professional stagnation due to her legal issues, which kept her out of the limelight in Hollywood.

Nevertheless, the sudden conclusion of this gap occurred in 2016 with the emergence of the Netflix show Stranger Things. Interestingly, despite Winona’s role as a leading character receiving minimal recognition prior to its premiere, it still managed to make a significant impact.

The triumphant return of Winona Ryder: Beetlejuice cements her comeback after shoplifting shame - and she's finally found happiness after 'wild' lovers including Johnny Depp

It wasn’t until the show gained global popularity, sparking a massive resurgence, that people began taking notice once again of Winona in the Hollywood limelight.

Moreover, it was also announced that three decades following the initial release, a Beetlejuice sequel will grace movie theaters, featuring Winona returning to her character as Lydia Deetz.

After its debut at the Venice Film Festival, the horror-fantasy heist movie is set for release on September 6, marking a significant comeback to the big screen for Winona.

In addition, things are progressing smoothly in Winona Ryder’s private life. She is currently involved in a long-standing relationship with Scott Mackinlay Hahn.

As enthusiasts of Beetlejuice slip into their distinctive striped attire, eager to witness the mischief-making of this iconic demon anew, TopMob examines the extraordinary resurgence in the career of Winona.

Teenage film star bullied by her peers

1988 marked the significant milestone of Winona’s third major screen appearance, where she secured her career-defining role in the offbeat horror film “Beetlejuice”.

In a different role, she portrayed Lydia Deetz, a teenager with a gothic flair, who unexpectedly gained the power to perceive spirits. She was subsequently entangled in a matrimonial arrangement with Betelgeuse, a bio-exorcist yearning to reenter the world of the living.

The movie not only received favorable comments but also earned $74.6 million at the ticket counter, ultimately transforming into a beloved 80s cult favorite over time.

Ryder starred as Lydia Deetz when she was just 16 years old.

In multiple interviews, she has openly shared that she didn’t belong to the group of popular students at school, and regrettably, things took a turn for the worse for her following Beetlejuice.

She shared with Marie Claire UK, “I recall having the thought, ‘Wow, this is the top film! It will surely boost my popularity at school.'”

‘But it made things worse. They called me a witch.’

Following my unforgettable role in Beetlejuice, I graced the screen with another iconic performance in the 1988 cult favorite Heathers. Then, the next year, I found myself taking on the role of Jerry Lee Lewis’s cousin and child bride, Myra, in Great Balls Of Fire.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find it fascinating to reflect on Winona Ryder’s journey. Despite having four films under her name and whispers of romances with prominent figures like Rob Lowe and Christian Slater during the 80s, she remained somewhat unacknowledged by her contemporaries.

In her interview with Vogue in 1994, she admitted that when she’s around peers, she tends to feel quite nervous and out of sorts. To her, the opinions of her contemporaries matter more than those within the industry.

In truth, I find myself grappling with self-doubts that echo the rejections of my past. It wasn’t until high school, or even junior high, or elementary school, that I felt truly accepted. Instead, I was often singled out and made to feel unwelcome. Friends eluded me, save for the exceptional Heather who stood by me through it all.

‘Despite becoming well-known, children didn’t treat me any better. In fact, even though I had completed four movies, including the massive success of Beetlejuice, they would still throw food at me.’

At that juncture, she abandoned her high school education to delve into the world of high-profile films alongside Hollywood’s cream of the crop. This journey led her to a specific role that ignited a romantic involvement with another influential actor in the film industry.

Hollyood power couple – but career pressure led to burnout

In the 1990s, Edward Scissorhands marked the return of director Tim Burton where Winona Ryder initially crossed paths with Johnny Depp, who later became famous for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean.

In 1989, I found myself entwined on-screen with a captivating partner, and our connection transcended the silver screen, seeping into reality. At that momentous time, I was but seventeen, while he was a mature 27 years old, John Depp.

She later revealed that he was her first real boyfriend.

‘When I met Johnny, I was pure virgin. He changed that,’ she said.

‘He was my first everything. My first real kiss. My first real boyfriend. My first fiancé.

‘The first guy I had sex with. So he’ll always be in my heart.’

In response, Depp demonstrated his loyalty by having a tattoo inscribed on his upper right arm saying “Winona Forever”.

She stated about her and Depp’s relationship to Interview Magazine in 1990 that whatever she said wouldn’t truly capture what they had.

She added: ‘I will say that he’s an amazing human whom I have an enormous amount of respect for and very deep feelings for. It’s not a possessive, weird little Hollywood promenade.’

He proposed to her just five months after they started dating.

In the early ’90s, as Winona’s career was soaring, she found herself grappling with the heavy workload from multiple roles, eventually leading to her decision to withdraw from The Godfather Part III.

‘It taught me that I have to slow down,’ she said of the experience to Interview Magazine.

After filming Mermaids in Boston while wearing small dresses, she developed a respiratory illness. The following day, the production of Mermaids concluded, and she immediately boarded a flight to Rome for The Godfather Part III.

‘I never should have flown. The doctor said I could have gone deaf,’ she admitted.

She noted that it wasn’t as everyone had portrayed it. Instead, they seemed to imply that I panicked and fled, but that’s not exactly what happened.

She added: ‘I am sorry for any harm caused, but I would have appeared weak if I hadn’t pushed boundaries. My performance likely wouldn’t have been well-received. What do you do when you’ve got nothing left? A crucial element of acting is passion and enthusiasm.’

Instead, let me rephrase it for you: She returned to her birthplace, San Francisco, expressing excitement about savoring her mom’s soup and sleeping in her familiar bed.

Many feared that Ryder was pulling the plug on her own career.

‘This business is brutal,’ she told Harper’s Bazaar, reflecting on the issue, in 2022.

‘You’re working constantly, but if you want to take a break, they tell you, “If you slow down, it’s going to stop”.’

She continued: ‘And then it did slow down. So then you’re hearing, “It’s going to be impossible to come back”. And then that changes to, “You’re not even part of the conversation”. Like, it was brutal.’

Back in the limelight once more, I found myself captivated by Winona’s mesmerizing portrayal in 1992’s Dracula. Yet, as time unfolded, she opened up about the trials of working alongside director Francis Ford Coppola, a seasoned Hollywood maestro who didn’t hesitate to employ tough tactics to elicit the acting brilliance he sought.

Reflecting back on that moment, I recall thinking to myself, “I truly felt like a genuine actress then.” However, if given the chance to relive it, I would likely reconsider, unless the director was someone I was deeply acquainted with and fully trusted.

She added: ‘I learnt a lot on that set about what I’m not capable of tolerating.’

Split from Depp left her ‘completely lost’

In 1993, there was a difficult period for Winona when she parted ways with Johnny. Their representative stated to People magazine that “they are young, and over time, they drifted apart.”

Depp was more forthcoming and blamed the pressure of being in a relationship in the public eye.

He admitted that our openness might have been a mistake, as he believed full disclosure would quell the intrigue. However, instead it fueled it and provided individuals with the sense that they were privy to the situation.

In response, Winona admitted that she felt utterly bewildered following her initial profound heartache.

In a 2001 interview with Cinema.com, Ryder reminisced about his first intense love affair, which was with Johnny. This initial love experience felt profound and I’m not sure if I’ll ever encounter something quite as powerful again. As they say, the first love is extraordinary, isn’t it? It was a wild ride back then.

It feels great not to have that familiar knot in the stomach, the cringe, or the heartache when reminiscing about past relationships, doesn’t it? For a while after a split, one typically experiences all those emotions.

10 years ago, when I ended my engagement with Johnny, I felt incredibly sad and down. At that age, 19, I must admit I reacted quite dramatically, but please keep in mind, it was a difficult time for me.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Winona described a situation as being reminiscent of her character in the movie Girl, Interrupted, which was released six years after her split.

Ryder recalled his former co-star, Michelle Pfeiffer, saying something along the lines of “This will go by” during their work together. However, he didn’t catch what she said.

She added: ‘I’ve never talked about it. There’s this part of me that’s very private. I have such, like, a place in my heart for those days. But for someone younger who grew up with social media, it’s hard to describe.’

However, the couple have remained on good terms in the intervening years.

In the year 2020, she became well-known for standing with Johnny Depp during a high-profile defamation trial related to accusations of domestic abuse made by his former spouse, Amber Heard.

In the courtroom, I shared that for the past four years, he had been an integral part of my life, serving not only as my partner but also as my dearest friend, someone as near and dear as family to me.

It’s clear that I wasn’t present during his marriage to Amber, but given my unique experiences which varied greatly, I was utterly stunned, puzzled, and disturbed upon learning the allegations against him.

It’s entirely alien to me, given the Johnny I knew and cherished, that such a violent persona is attributed to him. I find it hard to reconcile with these allegations.

‘He was never, never abusive at all towards me.

From what I’ve observed, he has never displayed violent or abusive behavior towards anyone. To me, he is genuinely a remarkable individual, characterized by kindness, compassion, and an exceptional level of care for those he holds dear. His protective nature made me feel incredibly secure in his presence.

In a court hearing, Amber Heard asserted that Johnny Depp physically attacked her for the initial time during an argument over his modified tattoo that read “Wino Forever,” a reference to his former partner Winona Ryder. This alteration was done after their separation.

Heard said: ‘To me it looked like black marks, I didn’t know what it said.

Initially, I asked, “What’s written there?” He replied, “Wino,” which I took as a joke, so I chuckled. However, he actually slapped me in response to my laughter.

I chuckled, as it seemed like a joking matter since I wasn’t sure about the situation.

She overheard her glance at Depp and chuckle, assuming he would join in the laughter, believing it was all just a jovial moment.

In a different phrasing, here’s how the sentence could be rewritten: “You find this amusing, you think you’re quite hilarious?” was supposedly stated by Depp, followed by another slap, as quoted by Heard.

1. “Once more, he struck me. The humor was long gone. My laughter ceased. I was at a loss. There seemed to be no cause for his actions. He hit me without provocation.”

Her shoplifting hell sparks a career downturn

For Angelina Jolie, the latter part of the 1990s stood as a crucial period. During this time, she played significant roles in movies like “Little Women” (1994), “The Crucible” (1996), and one of her most recognized films, “Girl, Interrupted” (1999). This film earned Jolie the prestigious Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

During that period, Winona was herself recognized with two Academy Award nominations. One of these was for her role in The Age of Innocence, and the other was for Little Women.

After parting ways with Johnny, Winona briefly dated Matt Damon in the year 1997. This romantic encounter came about when she was introduced to him by mutual friends Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck.

Even though their relationship lasted less than a year, it seemed to end amicably.

She shared with Blackbook magazine that he is an extraordinarily kind man and expressed gratitude for having a positive relationship with him.

Throughout the ’90s, Winona’s career was steadily advancing. However, in 2001, her path took an unexpected turn as she was apprehended for stealing from a store.

It is said that she took merchandise valued over $5,000, which consisted of designer clothing and accessories, from the Saks Fifth Avenue store located in Beverly Hills without authorization.

She was accused of grand theft and vandalism, but was found not guilty for burglary charges. Instead, she received a probation sentence that lasted three years, completed 480 hours of community service, paid $3,700 in fines and $6,355 in reparations to Saks, and was also mandated to undergo psychological and drug counseling.

Ultimately, the event caused her to temporarily step away from her profession again so she could focus on other passions.

In an interview with Porter Magazine back in 2016, she shared that looking back on the early 2000s is fascinating, but it was also quite harsh and unkind period, as there was a great deal of cruelty prevalent at that time.

Then, I recall returning to Los Angeles, and it was a challenging period. I wasn’t sure if that chapter in my life had closed.

Regarding the shoplifting incident, she clarified that it was not as people might assume. Furthermore, she emphasized that it was not an extraordinary crime.

However, it provided me with the valuable time I required, which enabled me to return to San Francisco and reconnect with my activities… To be honest, I simply had other passions. This was her continuation.

Following the legal issues that arose for Winona, her prominence in Hollywood significantly decreased, resulting in several years during which she was scarcely seen on the big screen.

‘It was hard to find that transition to adult roles,’ Winona told The Telegraph in 2014.

However, I find delight in growing older, as I’ve experienced a phase where I was old enough for certain roles, yet often linked to younger counterparts.

For three decades, life followed that pattern for me. But now, as I enter my forties, things are starting to become a tad less difficult.

With Stranger Things comes a worldwide comeback

Winona first stepped back into the limelight with an unexpected appearance in the 2009 Star Trek remake, playing the role of Mr. Spock’s mother. Later, in 2010, she took on the challenging role of a bitter ballet dancer compelled to retire, giving way for a newcomer in the provocative film “Black Swan.”

Despite having limited screen time, Winona’s presence in the movie left a significant impression, potentially paving the way for her to secure more roles in Hollywood.

In her interview with The New York Times in 2016, she stated that it was a tremendously freeing experience for her since she was playing her actual age. This seemed to resonate with many people, and it served as a kind of graduation or transition point in her life.

However, Winona only regained her prominent status again when she took on the role of Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, which started airing in 2017.

The fantasy series tapped into a trend of 80s nostalgia, and told the story of a sinister threat terrorising the town of Hawkins, after the disappearance of young Will Byers.

Winona received accolades for her portrayal as Joyce, a mother overwhelmed with fear, who firmly believes that an enigmatic danger is connected to her son’s vanishing.

The show played a significant role in launching the careers of up-and-coming talents such as Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, and even provided a boost for the comeback of popular actor David Harbour.

For Winona, it seemed that her character as Joyce provided an opportunity to portray a role fitting her current age, since she had moved past teen roles and left some casting directors at a loss as to how best to utilize her skills.

‘I started acting so young, I secretly wanted to be older,’ she told Time Magazine.

It seems that discussions regarding ageism are prevalent at the moment, and I understand many talented actresses face difficulties in their careers. I myself have been presented with roles that emphasize maternal aspects.

‘But you can make something of it. For me, I’m finally getting to play my own age, and it’s liberating. I would not want to go back to playing the ingénue.’

As the popularity of Stranger Things continues to soar with each new season, Winona’s earnings have also experienced a significant jump in response to the show’s impressive viewership numbers.

It’s believed that she earned approximately $350,000 per episode during the fourth season of the show, which equates to roughly $2.8 million in total earnings.

At present, Winona is actively involved in the shooting process for the fifth and concluding season of Stranger Things, with a planned release date on Netflix in 2025.

Happiness in her love life

Although Winona’s past romance with Johnny made headlines often, her present relationship is remarkably private.

She’s been with fashion designer Scott Mackinlay Hahn since 2011, having first crossed paths at the premiere of Black Swan.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2024, she expressed her feelings by saying, “He’s absolutely fantastic, and I couldn’t agree more. I feel incredibly fortunate to be with him.”

Winona has also previously shared that she and Scott have no plans to marry in the future,

In an interview with The Edit from Net-a-Porter in July 2016, the actress admitted she is a committed one-person type of individual. She had spent some time being single and dating, but found it challenging. She has always been this way, but marriage is something she’s uncertain about.

I prefer to have remained unmarried over experiencing multiple divorces. While I acknowledge that divorce is not inherently wrong, I believe I wouldn’t be able to handle it should it happen again.

‘When your parents are madly in love for 45 years, your standards are really high.’

A Beetlejuice return cements her Hollywood comeback

Back in May, Beetlejuice enthusiasts went wild as the initial teaser for the long-anticipated follow-up dropped, featuring Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara returning to their iconic characters.

It’s been some time since the occurrences depicted in the initial movie, and presently, Lydia Deetz, previously played by Winona, is a parent to a teenager named Astrid, portrayed by Jenna Ortega.

Lydia believed that she’d never have contact with that tricky spirit again, but then her daughter stumbled upon a notice for a ‘Bio-Exorcist’ service during their daily life.

Despite strict warnings from her mother, it’s Astrid who eventually summons Beetlejuice by uttering his name three times.

viewers are subsequently given brief glimpses into their thrilling descent into the underworld, where they encounter various fresh characters portrayed by Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe.

Burton’s real-life girlfriend, Monica Bellucci, also stars as Beetlejuice’s wife.

To some Beetlejuice enthusiasts, and even Winona herself, going back to the renowned series might feel like coming full circle. In fact, Winona acknowledges that she recognizes aspects of her character Lydia in her own real-life struggles.

Prior to the movie’s debut, she shared with Harper’s Bazaar: “During my thirties, I experienced two tumultuous relationships. At that time, you wouldn’t even dream of Googling someone, as we don’t have such technology yet.”

Reflecting on the past, I often find myself wondering, “Whatever possessed me to think that way?” I had been involved with someone who would only reveal their relationship status several weeks later. And it was as if to say, “What on earth happened?” or “How could this be?”

2024-08-29 18:09