Julia Roberts’ daughter, Hazel Moder, made a rare public appearance at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, accompanying her father, cinematographer Daniel Moder, for the premiere of Flag Day, a film directed by Sean Penn. At 16, Hazel wore a pale yellow lace shirt dress with black Mary Jane shoes and a simple ponytail, reflecting her mother’s understated style.
Despite the spotlight, Roberts and Moder have maintained a private family life, emphasizing normalcy and humility for their children. Roberts has spoken about balancing fame with motherhood, noting that her children remain curious yet unaffected by her celebrity status. She continues to focus on guiding them with humility and maintaining a sense of normalcy beyond Hollywood’s glare.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Roberts shared that her children have moved out, marking her transition into an empty nester. She expressed a desire to return to the stage, a commitment she now feels able to take on given her freer schedule. Roberts emphasized how much she enjoys spending time with her kids and looks forward to regular visits, even though they no longer live at home. She spoke candidly about the mix of emotions that comes with the transition, joking about shedding tears but affirming the joy she finds in her children’s growth.
Additionally, Roberts revealed that after watching the classic 1986 film Stand by Me, Hazel was inspired to give up her smartphone, citing the way the film emphasized genuine, in-person connections among its characters. Roberts shared the story while discussing her new film After the Hunt, noting that Hazel was struck by how the characters’ emotional bonds and adventures would have been undermined if they had phones. Roberts reflected on this moment, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal connection and conversation. She and her husband, Danny Moder, have three children—twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 20, and son Henry, 18. Roberts also discussed the family’s approach to managing technology use, such as having a phone charging station at home and enforcing no phones at the table. Despite her children now being adults, she expressed gratitude for their continued understanding and respect for her parenting style.
