Zawe Ashton has joined Miquita Oliver the Miss Me? podcast to talk about her second pregnancy, motherhood, turning 41 and life in the TV and film industry.
The Marvels and Fresh Meat star revealed she is so close to giving birth that anything could happen at any time.
Laughing with Miquita, she said: “When you’re in the window, then you’re in the window. Anything could happen. I don’t think that will happen today.”
Miquita joked it would be a “beautiful life affirming moment” if Zawe had to leave the podcast to give birth!
Zawe, who shares her first child with husband Tom Hiddleston, said motherhood is “really, very hard”.
She described the moment she gave birth as life-changing, explaining: “The day I gave birth, I was like, oh my gosh, you are a warrior, you’ve tapped into this warrior spirit. This is what you were capable of the whole time. Why did I let anyone get their grubby mitts on me at any point in life?”
The conversation turned to birthdays as Zawe prepares to celebrate her 41st on Friday 25 July. She admitted she struggles around birthdays and described turning 40 as feeling like society wanted to “retire you”.
Zawe said: “Birthday is like my New Year. However I spend it is how I’m seeing in this next chapter.” She shared that she threw herself a huge party last year, saying: “I basically threw a wedding to myself for myself. That felt really empowering.”
Miquita also reflected on her recent 41st birthday, saying she spent it drinking white wine and crying all night out of shame after losing her home.
She added: “It’s like, who am I without these things at 41? But actually, you’re working really hard every day, looking after your team, building a business, and looking after your nan and helping your mum.”
The pair discussed working in TV and film from a young age, with Zawe saying it shaped her identity around performance, adding: “You really are an object in those environments. Is that healthy?”
The episode is now available to listen to on BBC Sounds.
