Happy Place Joanna Page: I was breastfeeding on set! How to have a career and children
Sep 22, 2025
Joanna Page, renowned for her roles in Gavin and Stacey and Love Actually, shares her unexpected journey into motherhood at 35. She recounts breastfeeding on set, her choice to balance family over career, and the challenge of accepting 'average' work. Joanna reflects on the growing self-worth of younger women in the industry and shares hilarious on-set stories, including a memorable moment with Johnny Depp. Her new memoir, Lush, delves into these themes, highlighting the unique blend of career and parenthood.
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Working While Breastfeeding
- Joanna Page brought baby Eva to auditions and sets while breastfeeding and cluster-feeding through nights.
- She often fed in trailers, expressed between takes, and sometimes couldn't remember lines from exhaustion.
Stepping Back From Acting
- After intense on-set breastfeeding, Joanna decided to step away from acting for several years to focus on family.
- She described the decision as a huge relief, willing to risk career momentum for motherhood.
Identity Can Shift To Fit Seasons
- Joanna shifted her identity from actress to mother after children and found contentment in prioritising family.
- She believes she'll reclaim a separate identity later when children are grown, but currently motherhood defines her.
