Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2010

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Julia Roberts’ Japanese fans have been waiting for her to visit ever since Pretty Woman became a smash hit in 1990. The 42-year-old Oscar winner is one of only a few A-list stars never to have promoted their movies in Japan, so the media—including a contingent from Korea—were out in force when she arrived for a six-day visit to plug Eat Pray Love. Although the tabloids had speculated that Roberts didn’t like Japan, the actress was tightlipped about why it had taken her so long to drop in on Tokyo. “It’s my good fortune to be here now,” is all she would say on the subject.

Eat Pray Love is based on the bestselling 2006 memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, which deals with a divorcee’s journey of enlightenment that takes her from New York to Italy (where she eats), India (prays) and Bali (where she falls in love again). Roberts said she read Gilbert’s book a long time ago, before there was ever any talk of a movie. “I never thought about it again until I got a call from my agent, though I always felt it was a great story.”

Predictably, the actress was asked all sorts of questions about her own spirituality—she was born a Catholic but now practices Hinduism—but she wouldn’t be drawn on the subject: “My mother told me 22 years ago, ‘You’re an actor, act. Don’t talk about politics or religion.’” Nor does she like being asked questions such as “my favorite scene in a movie, my favorite actor to work with, my favorite food, and so on. Why do people want to know that?”

In the film, Gilbert’s character undergoes some big changes to her life. Roberts, on the other hand, said of her own life: “No, no changes, I’m good. For me, growth is about excavating and nurturing what’s inside of you, what propels you, and not lipstick or the latest fashions. I think that for both men and women, we look inside ourselves to see what needs work and how we can shape our lives.”

Roberts, who has three children with cameraman husband Danny Moder—5-year-old twins Hazel and Phinneaus and 3-year-old Henry—said it can be a challenge balancing the roles of wife, mother and actress.

“I get by with a tremendous amount of help and support,” she said. “Some days are better than others. You just do the best you can.”

After she finishes her global tour, Roberts will produce a TV documentary series called Extraordinary Moms for Oprah Winfrey’s new cable network. Her next film will be the drama Larry Crowne, co-starring Tom Hanks as a middle-aged man who returns to college.

Roberts also regularly appears on People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful list. “That’s my mom stuffing the ballot box,” she joked. As for the secret of her beauty: “Being happy inside… and a little Lancome eye cream.” No surprise with that answer, since she’s the face of the cosmetics brand.

Chris Betros is the editor of Japan Today (www.japantoday.com).