Billy Crudup’s confession about his testicles revealed by Naomi Watts

Watts and Crudup first met on the set of the Netflix series Gypsy in 2017. While sparks flew instantly, the couple kept their relationship under wraps for years, only making their red carpet debut in 2022. In 2023, they sparked engagement rumors. , which they later confirmed by announcing their marriage.

Now, in her newly released book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I Knew About Menopause, Naomi Watts reflects on her past. The “King Kong” actress recalls a cheeky comment Billy Crudup made about his testicles comforting and amusing her during an early phase of their romance.

In her newly released book, Watts talks about an early and vulnerable moment in her relationship with Crudup. At the time, she had just started menopausal hormone therapy and was wearing an estrogen patch to control her symptoms.

“I was worried that if he saw (the patch), he would realize that it meant I was in menopause: no longer a vibrant, fertile being,” she wrote. Page sixShe admitted that she felt ashamed of the sticky marks it left on her skin.

On one occasion, as the couple prepared for an intimate evening at Crudup’s house, Watts spent a long time scrubbing her “raw” skin in the bathroom, desperate to remove any evidence of the patch. When I asked Crudup if everything was okay, she finally admitted her concerns about menopause.

Instead of responding with discomfort, Crudup surprised her with empathy and humor. A smile crossed his face. He seemed very relieved that the problem wasn’t a lack of desire. “I think it’s great that you take care of yourself,” he reassured her. How can I help?”

Adding to the mood, the “Morning Show” star shared his own experience with aging, saying, “Hey, if it makes you feel better: I have gray hair on my balls.”

Watts revealed that this unexpected prank made her laugh and feel at ease. “To this day, those remain the most romantic words I’ve ever heard on screen or off,” she joked in the book. “This includes the script for every film she has been involved in, and even a much-loved marriage proposal from this same man, which came seven years later.”

Naomi Watts nearly left Hollywood before her friend and longtime collaborator David Lynch cast her in the iconic 2001 film “Mulholland Drive.”

The Oscar-nominated actress spoke about her struggles and Lynch’s pivotal role in her career during an appearance on “Live With Kelly and Mark” on Tuesday. Lynch, who passed away last week at the age of 78, was not only instrumental in advancing Watts’ career, but also in keeping her in America to pursue her Hollywood dreams.

Watts revealed that before landing the role in Mulholland Drive, she was about to return to Australia, where she began her acting career after moving from the UK as a child. “I wouldn’t have stayed if I hadn’t met David Lynch,” the 56-year-old said. “The chips were down, it had been 10 years of failed performance tests.”

While promoting her new nonfiction book, “I Dare I Say It,” Watts explained her frustration with her then-stalling career. Although she landed roles in the 1995 comic book adaptation “Tank Girl” and the 1996 horror sequel “Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering,” she struggled to find steady work.

“Nothing happened,” she admitted. “I was literally isolating people. I was making them uncomfortable because I was saying to myself, ‘I need a job!’ I need a job! So much so that my agent at the time said, ‘You’re too intense.’ “You’re making people uncomfortable.” Watts described feeling hopeless and considered giving up on her Hollywood dreams several times.

At this low point, Lynch intervened.

Watts recounted how the unique director selection process stood out to her.

“David Lynch called me and had a completely different approach to casting. “He sat me down and looked me in the eyes and asked me questions,” she said. While she doubted herself at first, thinking, “I’m not funny, I’m not sexy, I’m too old.” Lynch’s perspective was transformative. “He just saw me and was able to lift this shell.”

Shortly after their meetings, Watts was cast in the film “Mulholland Drive.” This role became a defining moment in her career, garnering critical acclaim and propelling her to stardom. Watts credited Lynch not only with the professional opportunity but also for being a “true mentor and friend.”