Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman Discuss Vili Fualaau's 'May-December' Criticism
Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman respond to Vili Fualaau's criticism of their film 'May December', based on the infamous romance with Mary Kay Letourneau
Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman acknowledged the challenges Vili Fualaau has faced due to the impact of his personal life on their movie May December. Prior to attending the Golden Globes on Sunday, January 7, Moore, 63, and Portman, 42, discussed Fualaau's public criticism.
Moore expressed regret about Fualaau's lack of enthusiasm for the finished product. She stated that director Todd Haynes had always emphasized that the movie was an original story about these characters, and that they had created the characters together.
Portman also maintained that May December wasn’t solely based on Fualaau’s controversial relationship with the late Mary Kay Letourneau.
'May December' available on Netflix
"Sorry to hear that," she told ET. "The story isn't based on them. Their influence on the culture we grew up in and the idea is obvious. But Julianne Moore and Charles Melton bring the fictional characters to life so beautifully, and it's its own story. It's not intended to be a biopic."
Letourneau gained attention in 1996 for the statutory rape of Fualaau, who was her sixth-grade student at the time. She was convicted of two counts of felony second-degree rape and served three months in jail. Later, she was sentenced to six years in prison for making contact with Fualaau again. Despite their controversial past, the couple went on to have two children and remained married for over a decade before their separation in 2019.
Portman stars as actress Elizabeth in "May December," a Netflix film. The story follows her as she travels to meet and study the life of Gracie, played by Moore, whom she is set to portray in a project. The film focuses on Gracie's controversial romance with Joe, portrayed by Charles Melton, who is 23 years her junior.
Faulaau, who has largely stayed out of public view in recent years, has finally spoken out about how his life served as the inspiration for the movie.
"I'm still here and doing well. If they had only contacted me, we could have collaborated on an amazing film. Instead, they opted to create a cheap imitation of my real-life story," he expressed to The Hollywood Reporter on January 4. "I am deeply hurt by the entire project and the lack of acknowledgment for the genuine experiences I have lived through and continue to live through."
Vili Fualaau and Mary Kay Letourneau 7NEWS/YouTube
He continued, "I have a deep appreciation for well-crafted movies that capture the complexity of real-life events, allowing the audience to discover something new with each viewing. Working with writers and directors who possess that ability would be ideal, as my story is far more intricate than what this movie depicts."
The fictional romance between Gracie and Joe closely mirrors the real-life relationship between Letourneau and Fualaau, including a conversation about their age gap that bears a striking resemblance to an interview the real couple did after going public.
Haynes explained at a New York Film Festival screening in September 2023 how Moore used Letourneau to shape her character in May December, which started streaming on Netflix two months later. He discussed the portrayal of their original relationship and the specific circumstances that led to their connection, emphasizing that Letourneau is not simply a pedophile with a history of pursuing teenage boys.
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Haynes also noted that Moore had based her speaking voice on previous recordings of Letourneau, who passed away from cancer at the age of 58 in 2020.
"In all honesty, there were certain aspects of Mary Kay Letourneau's speech that we found intriguing, particularly in her loose upper palate, which served as a starting point for Moore. She then built upon it," Haynes explained. "These artistic choices allowed us to better comprehend the circumstances and the delusions that contributed to it."
