**Scarlett Johansson Misses Cannes Debut for Family Commitment**
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Scarlett Johansson, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in numerous blockbuster films, recently shared the reason behind her absence at the Cannes Film Festival during the screening of her latest project, *Paper Tiger*. The film received a remarkable standing ovation, lasting nearly ten minutes; however, Johansson was unable to attend due to a commitment with her daughter.
During a recent interview with entertainment show *Extra*, Johansson revealed that she was busy filming a project in New York, specifically *The Exorcist*, when director James Gray attempted to reach her. Unfortunately, she missed his call while attending her 12-year-old daughter Rose’s dance recital.
Johansson recounted the experience, saying, “Oh, I was shooting *The Exorcist* in New York so I couldn’t be there in person. And then I guess [director] James [Gray], for some reason, called me but didn’t tell me he was going to be calling me, and I was at my daughter’s dance recital and saw that I’d missed a call from James.”
Upon realising she had missed the director’s call, Johansson expressed her concern: “And I was like, ‘Oh, no James…’ when I got out…after I’d finished wrangling her and all that stuff.” She humorously reflected on the unexpected nature of Gray’s call, suggesting that had he informed her in advance, the situation might have been different. “If you would have told me that you were going to be calling me…”
Adam Driver, Johansson’s co-star, added to the light-hearted discussion, noting that the situation was indeed impromptu. Johansson remarked, “It was impromptu, but then I got all this slack. But I was really at my kid’s dance recital.” She jokingly added that Rose’s performance received an ovation that rivalled that of *Paper Tiger*, saying it was “just as long a standing ovation as Paper Tiger, by the way. Nine minutes long.”
Scarlett Johansson has two children; she shares her daughter Rose with ex-husband Romain Dauriac and has a five-year-old son named Cosmo with her current husband, Colin Jost. While the actress tends to keep her family life private, she touched upon the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood in a previous interview.
In September 2025, Johansson spoke about the logistics of managing their busy schedules, acknowledging the help of “two wonderful babysitters” that support the family. She expressed gratitude for this assistance, stating, “We really couldn’t do it without help. It’s hard to balance between two busy schedules, but we do as much as we can.”
Johansson went on to discuss the importance of maintaining a routine for her children. “My kids are young. They thrive on a routine,” she explained. However, this routine can sometimes mean the couple has to forego certain commitments. “You feel guilty that you’re missing certain elements of work that you should be responsible for, and then you’re home, and when you’re at work, you feel like you’re missing some elements of parenting that you should be responsible for. So there’s always that.”
The actress believes that strong communication and shared responsibilities between partners can help bridge this gap. “But, I think if you can close the gap as much as possible by sharing responsibilities with the other person and communicating, that’s how you do it,” she explained.
As Johansson continues to navigate her successful career alongside her life as a mother, her ability to prioritise family while managing professional commitments showcases her dedication to both aspects of her life. The actress may have missed a significant moment at Cannes, but she clearly prioritises her children, proving that family remains at the heart of her life.
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