During her childhood and teenage years, Rooney Mara was very introverted and had anxiety problems so it was very hard for her to socially interact with other kids. The actress has managed to overcome her issues but she still loves spending time alone.

She said: ”I was very, very, shy. I had problems with anxiety and not being able to relate to other people. I would spend all my free time in school by myself. I couldn’t relate to other people or get myself to feel comfortable hanging around with other kids in school and it wasn’t the happiest time of my life.

”It took me a long time before I felt more at ease making friends and not putting up walls around me. I still like the time I spend alone, just thinking by myself or watching people. I need that kind of quiet time.”

Rooney, who is best known for her as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, also says that it’s easy for her to portray darker characters. ”I tend to be guarded and that suits me being in darker kinds of films. I can easily slip into characters who don’t laugh and smile a lot,” she explained.

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