Rachel McAdams Says Time Away From Hollywood 'Helped Me Feel Empowered'

Rachel McAdams is all about feeling empowered and doing all to succeed!

The actress posed for minimally-edited photos, displaying her natural beauty and armpit hair for a media outlet. She also used the opportunity to address her hiatus from Hollywood, crediting the time off for strengthening her resolve to succeed.

McAdams left a lot, except her armpits, to the imagination when she posed for the recently issued Bustle interview, showing off her body as she lounged on a couch. Donning a black ensemble including earrings and high heels, the "Mean Girls" actress tipped her head back, carelessly draping her hands on the deep red chair.

In another scene, the 44-year-old, currently promoting her latest project, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," is seen in a sleeveless, white dress emphasizing her trim physique.

During her lengthy conversation with the outlet, the York University alum went into detail about still feeling guilty over her two-year hiatus from Hollywood at the time her career was starting to take off to "stay sane."

While reflecting on her unexpected choice to refuse starring roles in "The Devil Wears Prada," "Casino Royale," "Iron Man," "Mission: Impossible III," and "Get Smart," the Canadian beauty divulged that her break made her worry if she was "throwing it all away."

"I felt guilty for not capitalizing on the opportunity I was given because I knew I was in such a lucky spot. But I also knew it wasn't quite jiving with my personality and what I needed to stay sane," she confessed.

Despite that worry, the Academy Award nominee credited that  break and the others she has taken over the years for "really" helping her "feel empowered," the "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" star then added:

“It helped me feel like I was taking back some control. And I think it sort of allowed me to come in from a different doorway.”

As for her upcoming Hollywood film — an adaptation of author Judy Blume's 1970 novel with the same title,  McAdams will play Barbara Simon, mother of 11-year-old Margaret Simon — played by Abby Ryder Fortson — as the mother-daughter experience some changes in their lives.

While Margaret deals with starting a new school, her mother is still figuring out her life "in a new place," and her grandmother Sylvia — played by Kathy Bates — attempts to find joy in the "next phase of her life" as her loved ones relocate. In a previous interview, McAdams addressed her character's traits, saying:

"I don't think she's a smothering mother at all, but she's almost too hands-off in some ways, certainly when it comes to religion."

"Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" will premiere in theaters on April 28.

Despite her frequent times off from Hollywood, the Screen Actors Guild Awards winner has remained a prominent figure in the industry. Her decades-long career has earned her multiple accolades, including the Vanguard Award she accepted during the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony nearly a year ago.

As The Blast reported then, the actress had gushed about the feat while talking to the press, claiming that the honor made her feel old. Explaining what she meant, the "About Time" star stated:

"I mean, in some ways, I feel like I’ve just started, so it’s just funny to hear that. In other ways, I just feel lucky I’ve been able to do it this long. So it’s great."

She then added as she laughed, "I don't think I've taken the time to think about it; I was just like, 'You're going to give me an award? I'll show up. Sure!'" Additionally, McAdams admitted how pleased she was to see films return to theaters after previously-set restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic were lifted.

The Teen Choice Awards winner explained that it was "such a beautiful moment to be a part of" as she had cried from "happiness" by just "sitting in that seat." She conclusively appreciated CinemaCon for bringing together "people that have persevered through this and are still passionate about bringing movies and the community of watching movies together back – it's emotional."