Emma Vilarasau, one of the great figures of Catalan theater and audiovisual media, was the focus of the latest installment of Pla seqüència, the single-shot format hosted by Jordi Basté. During an intimate tour of Sant Cugat del Vallès, the city where she grew up and where an auditorium now bears her name, the artist opened up about her personal and professional struggles.
One of the most moving moments was the confession about her relationship with body image, a conflict that has accompanied her throughout her life. Vilarasau admitted that she still lives with complexes and the pressure to “look great at 70,” an expectation that connects with the emphasis placed on appearance for women in the acting profession.
“"I have never said it, but I weigh myself every day; for years, I starved myself."
The actress highlighted the role of theater as a vital refuge. She confessed that “Signing up for theater saved me from a very difficult adolescence.” Her beginnings at the Teatre de la Unió de Sant Cugat and her debut at the Teatre Lliure with Món, dimoni i carn were crucial for finding a space of freedom and identity, asserting that the stage is where she feels most protected.
Regarding ageism in the audiovisual sector, Vilarasau lamented that “It is not understood that men and women my age have many things to say.” Nevertheless, she celebrated preparing a new role where she plays a professional, escaping the clichés of mother or grandmother, and confirmed that she has work secured until 2029.
