Elizabeth Olsen has opened up about her unconventional childhood growing up alongside her globally famous older sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, describing the experience as 'pretty chaotic'.
The 36-year-old actor, known for her role as Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reflected on her early years in Los Angeles, where she was the youngest of four children all born within a five-year span.
A Childhood in the Spotlight's Shadow
While her twin sisters, now 39, became household names by sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the iconic sitcom Full House from 1987 to 1995, Elizabeth was a constant presence on their sets. She told The Times that the idea of a calm bedtime routine seems 'tender and sweet' because it was so foreign to their bustling household.
'I love being the friend or aunt who gets to come round and help with bedtime,' she shared, highlighting the contrast with her own upbringing.
Forced Audiences and Family Support
The support, however, was a two-way street. Elizabeth revealed that her sisters were 'forced to watch all my plays my whole life and go to my dance performances.'
Despite the inherent chaos, she emphasised the family's unwavering support system, stating, 'We’re just a supportive family.' She did, however, add that after 15 years in the industry, discussing it feels 'irrelevant.'
The family now largely stays out of the public eye, a choice made after Mary-Kate and Ashley stepped away from acting in 2012 to focus on their luxury fashion brand, The Row.
The Scrutiny That Nearly Ended Her Career
Elizabeth also delved into the darker side of her sisters' fame, echoing past comments about terrifying encounters with paparazzi while the twins were still minors. The intense scrutiny they faced had a profound effect on her.
She confessed to The Times that she almost quit acting before she started, daunted by the pressure of growing up near Hollywood and witnessing the lack of privacy her sisters endured.
In a bid to carve her own path and avoid associations with nepotism, she even considered changing her professional name to Elizabeth Chase, using her middle name.
Ultimately, she chose to use her real name, landing her breakout role as Wanda Maximoff in a post-credits scene for Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. She became an MCU staple, despite admitting that the superhero genre isn't her personal taste.
Elizabeth Olsen can next be seen co-starring with Callum Turner and Miles Teller in the new movie Eternity.
