When our interview begins a mere five minutes late, Henstridge apologizes for her tardiness; she’s just pulled mom duty, having picked up her two sons, ages 6 and 9, from school (the first of many endearing mortal qualities she exhibits). It takes inside of one minute to accept the take-me-as-I-am olive branch Henstridge extends, and less than 10 to realize she is a practiced and masterly student of life, eager to keep learning, even though her resume is a laundry list of accomplishments, which include modeling for major fashion publications (a talent at which she is still obviously adept), a slew of commercial work and an acting career that began in 1995 with Species. She earned the coveted part in that film after an intense worldwide search and grueling audition process. Its success earned her legions of devout followers and Hollywood’s fickle attention.

Considering the trajectory of her career, one might mistakenly assume that Henstridge got lucky–pretty girl equals certain cinematic success. But acting was always her goal, and she is anything but an overnight success. Henstridge left home at 14 to model in the world’s fashion capitals before moving to New York City, where she appeared in a slew of commercials. “I always wanted to act,” Henstridge says. “But, if I’m being real honest, I wasn’t thinking [about it] the entire time I was modeling.” While visibility helped garner the notice that opened doors to her, Henstridge’s talent effectively blew them off the hinges. “I auditioned for [Species] several times,” she says, reflecting on the beginning of her career. “I didn’t know what it would turn into or if I’d make a career out of it. I hoped so, but it was just, ‘Wow, I’m going to be in a feature film at some point in my life and it’s happening now, this is pretty cool.’” Looking back now, Henstridge displays the trademark perspective of those with career longevity. “I wanted the job, absolutely,” she says. “I desperately wanted it, but, that being said, I had nothing to lose. I was traveling, I was making money and I was living a pretty great life.”

Henstridge moved to Los Angeles and threw herself headlong into her career, one that still demands the creative expression she craves. But living and working in what is considered widely a breeding ground for self-criticism isn’t easy, even for someone as easy-going as Henstridge. “I’m not skinny enough, I’m not good enough, I’m not talented enough... you can put yourself through the wringer with that,” she says. “I really try not to go into that headspace at all. In fact, I gain and lose weight a lot because I’m not hypersensitive about the body image thing or those issues. I don’t have that perfectionist gene by any stretch. I just really believe in enjoying and living for the moment. You know, I pick up, I leave, I go out of town; I’m sorry if that cuts into something else that might have been more important in the eyes of the industry, but snowboarding in Mammoth [Mountain in California] was more important to me this week.” Henstridge traces her ability to balance back to her Canadian upbringing, which she believes helps her stay grounded in perhaps the least grounded city in the world.

There's Much More! For the full article, pick up a copy of the April 2008 JEZEBEL Issue today!