I’m betting that, for most people reading this, Kirsten Dunst is an actor who has starred in at least one film that you grew up watching. 

Whether it was her child-star debut in Interview with the Vampire, all the high-kicking and cheerleader chanting in 90s Bring It On, or the dreamy-yet-devastating adaptation of The Virgin Suicides, Dunst has led some seriously iconic films and shows over her 20-year acting career. 

The list goes on with a mix of indie and blockbuster hits including Drop Dead Gorgeous, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Spider-Man, Mona Lisa Smile, Marie Antoinette and Melancholia. Right now, we’re very excited about her new dark comedy series On Becoming a God in Central Florida.

So Dunst’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star, which she received yesterday (29 August), was very well deserved. But in an interview that was broadcast on the same day, the actor shared some words which suggest that it was long overdue. 

Speaking on Sirius XM’s In-Depth With Larry Flick, Dunst revealed that she has “never felt recognised” by her own industry.

“The things that people [enjoy] are like, ‘Remember when Marie Antoinette [came out] – y’all panned it? And now you all love it,” she said. 

“Remember Drop Dead Gorgeous’? Panned. Now you all love it.’

“It’s interesting to me. I feel like a lot of things I do people like later. I’ve never been recognised in my own industry. I’ve never been nominated for anything. Maybe like twice for a Golden Globe when I was little and one for Fargo. Maybe they just think I’m the girl from Bring It On.”

Dunst continued to say that, perhaps, she “doesn’t play the game enough” to be “recognised by peers”. 

“I just feel like, ‘What did I do?’” she said. “I am so chill. Maybe I don’t play the game enough. I mean I do everything I’m supposed to. It’s not like I’m rude or not doing publicity or anything. I just feel like…. I know that all you have is your work at the end of the day. And that’s all people really care about. I’m intelligent enough to know that and have perspective, but sometimes you’re like, ‘It would be nice to be recognised by your peers.’”

The sad thing is that facts pretty much prove the truth behind Dunst’s words.

She has only ever been nominated for one Emmy, which was for her role in Fargo. Despite winning the Best Actress prize at Cannes for her role in Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, Dunst remains without an Oscar nomination. And she has only been up for two Golden Globes.

But one woman in the industry who continues to champion Dunst is longtime friend and collaborator Sofia Coppola. 

Presenting Dunst with her Walk of Fame star, Coppola — who directed Marie Antoinette, The Virgin Suicides and The Beguiled —said: “With Kirsten in mind I felt like I could attempt a movie like Marie Antoinette knowing that she could bring what I pictured with grace and humanity. I am so happy to be here today with my most trusted collaborator and little sister who sparkles with everything she does. Kirsten, congratulations on your Walk of Fame”

Although yesterday’s accolade is testament of Dunst’s career and talent, hopefully her words will strike a chord within the industry and finally earn her the recognition she deserves.

Images: Getty