Actress Olivia Wilde seems to have worked non-stop over the course of the past decade, and her recent performances in Joe Swanberg’s “Drinking Buddies” and Spike Jonze’s “Her” suggest there’s a whole lot more to come; you can see her next in "Better Living Through Chemistry," a dark comedy out March 14th.
The daughter of journalists, Wilde has retained her candor and curiosity despite the Hollywood glare, and she brings a hands-on pragmatism to her philanthropic work. She sits on the board of Artists for Peace and Justice, an educational organization serving the poorest neighborhoods in Haiti, and she recently launched Conscious Commerce, a digital enterprise which encourages shoppers to deploy their dollars for the greater good. Here, she shares her powerful definition of empathy and weighs the meaning of success.
What does honesty mean to you?
Fearless adherence to reality.
What makes you feel loved?
Feeling truly seen and permitted to truly see the other.
What is empathy?
The acknowledgement of our connectedness, and the ability to tap into it. The only time we abandon selfishness, and plug into what makes us an extraordinary species.
What qualities does a remarkable man possess?
Humility, generosity, humor, intelligence, and curiosity.
What qualities does a remarkable woman possess?
Humility, generosity, humor, intelligence, curiosity, and patience.
What question stumps you?
This one. Also, how did I get so lucky?
What is power?
The mixture of intelligence and confidence.
What is success?
Dream fulfillment. And making it last.
Describe one aspect of your dark side.
Insatiability.
What does integrity mean to you?
Unselfishness.
What is feminine?
Wise, empathetic, open, fluid.
What is masculine?
Focused, sturdy, determined, solid.