Cameron Diaz has entered dangerous territory for Holllywood. In My Sister's Keeper, she plays the mother of a teenage daughter. Many actresses say, once they see you as a mom, you can never go back.

"I didn't really think about it," Diaz said. "I really don't think about this stuff too hard. I just find my way through it. I didn't really even think about the fact that I would be playing a mother. I didn't think about it in terms of what it meant to my career. I thought of what it meant to the story, and who this woman was and what her life experience was and what was happening in front of her. I didn't think, 'Oh, my God, if I play a mother, and a mother of teenagers, how is this going to affect my career?' It didn't even phase me."

Keeper portrays a family dealing with Leukemia. As close as she is with her family, Diaz hopes the film will make those more fortunate appreciate the gifts they have in their lives.

"Family is so important. What drew all of us to this story was the family, and the stories of each of these characters. I think we all related to the fact that there isn't anything that you wouldn't give someone that you love that deeply. You do whatever it takes to keep that person alive. I think that that's something that spoke to most of us, for this film, and what I think is so effective, in the film. I think the most important thing that I've found in my life is just my family and friends. Your wealth in life are the people that you get to love and who love you back, and all the experiences that you get to have with those people, throughout your life. Some come and some go. Some stay for a really long time, some leave quickly, some linger, and all of those experiences are the wealth of your soul. Those are the things that I'm most grateful for."



My Sister's Keeper opens June 24.

Story/Interview by Fred Topel

Starpulse contributing writer

(Starpulse in Hollywood): Every week, Hollywood's biggest stars are meeting in the hot spots and Starpulse is there.