Marvel star Scarlett Johansson is getting real about the challenges of balancing a thriving career with being present at home. During a heartfelt conversation on “CBS Sunday Morning,” the actress shared an honest revelation: after years of success in Hollywood.
GettyShe’s come to realize that perfect work-life balance might not exist — and she’s learning to be okay with that. The two-time Oscar-nominated star may have a stacked and diverse filmography, but for Johansson, family always comes first, and she’s found peace in accepting that some days one area will need more attention than the other.
Johansson Shares How She Learned to Be Kinder to Herself
Getty“I think actually admitting that there is no work-life balance is the first step to kind of getting there in a way, because it’s not possible,” Johansson said.
“There’s always something that is … there’s a deficit in some area, and I think you have to be … I learned to be more kind to myself. You can’t do all of these things all the time and so, you know … there’s just like … is it good enough?”
The actress spoke openly about learning to let go of perfection, especially while juggling motherhood, marriage, business ventures and a demanding acting career.
How Johansson Balances Family Life With Colin Jost & a Growing Empire
GettyJohansson’s world has grown fuller over the years in the best way possible.
Beyond her thriving film career, the actress ventured into the business world by launching her own skincare brand. She’s also raising two children with husband Colin Jost, whom she married in October 2020. The couple welcomed their son, Cosmo, the following year.
Johansson also shares daughter Rose with former husband Romain Dauriac.
Her success extends to the financial realm as well. According to Forbes, Johansson earned $43 million in 2025, making her the highest-paid actress of the year.
But even with that level of achievement, the actress remains grounded in the realities of parenthood.
“Somebody once told me, ‘If you’re successful as a parent like 75% of the time, that’s good’ — if you’re doing 75% of it like right, then you’re winning, which is probably true,” Johansson shared.
Johansson Says Her Perspective on Success Has Changed Over Time
Johansson said her perspective on success has shifted. The actress shared that learning to give herself grace has become essential, especially during seasons when family, work, or personal life requires different levels of attention.
She said she no longer expects herself to handle everything perfectly all the time.
GettyThe “Avengers” star also reflected on the pressures she faced after rising to fame at a young age in Hollywood.
In an April interview with People, the actress opened up about what it was like growing up in the spotlight during the early 2000s.
“I think growing up in the entertainment industry and being 20-something years old in the early 2000s, being a 20-year-old woman in the early 2000s in the spotlight, I think in general it was just a really harsh time,” Johansson said.
“I think women were just pulled apart for how they looked in a way that was socially acceptable at the time, and it was tough,” she continued.
Johansson added that opportunities for women in Hollywood have evolved over the years.
“There was a lot placed on how women looked and what was offered at that time for women my age as far as acting roles or opportunities, it was much slimmer than it is now.”
