Scarlett Johansson Reveals the Surprising Reason She Keeps Her Kids’ Privacy ‘Precious’

Scarlett Johansson is making it clear that her children’s privacy is a top priority. In a candid conversation with InStyle for their March cover story, the 40-year-old actress opened up about her commitment to keeping her kids—Rose, 10, whom she shares with ex-husband Romain Dauriac, and Cosmo, 3, whom she shares with husband Colin Jost—out of the public eye as much as possible.

Though Johansson is no stranger to sharing aspects of her life with the public, especially her political activism and personal opinions, she emphasized that her family’s privacy is something she holds dear. “But if anyone knows me, I definitely over-share. I’m not a closed book, you know?” Johansson said. “I’m politically active and vocal about it. But I am a private person in the sense that I value my close friendships. My family is very precious to me, as is their privacy.”

Johansson explained that she deeply values the “anonymity” of her children and discussed a recent conversation with her daughter Rose about the concept of fame. Rose had expressed an interest in making videos for Johansson’s skincare brand, The Outset, but the actress had to explain to her that, in addition to her young age, there are reasons beyond that for keeping their lives private.

“She was like, ‘Why can’t I?’” Johansson recalled. “And I said, ‘Well, other than the fact that you’re 10…’” Johansson went on to explain the reality of celebrity life, noting that while fame can seem fun, it comes with significant challenges. “The thing about being a public figure is that the idea of being recognizable and celebrated feels fun, but then you can never stuff it back in the bottle,” she said. “The reality of it is, there’s a massive loss to that, you know? So I think preserving that for as long as possible until it’s someone’s choice, that’s the choice I make as far as my kids go.”

In addition to her thoughts on privacy, Johansson also shared insights into her relationship with her daughter during a January appearance on Today with Jenna and Friends. She discussed a conversation she had with Rose about “ghosting” after the 10-year-old stopped talking to a boy who had liked her. Johansson, who admitted to having ghosted people herself in the past, explained the emotional impact that this behavior can have on others. “It really makes the other person feel terrible about themselves. It kind of sets them on this spiral,” she said.

The actress’s candid reflections on her family life highlight her deep commitment to protecting her children’s privacy while also acknowledging the challenges that come with being in the public eye. For Johansson, preserving her kids’ anonymity and allowing them to choose when they want to step into the spotlight is a choice she will continue to make with love and care.