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Exclusive: Anna Kendrick explains the amazing lesson she learned from her divorced parents

May 15, 2015
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In Rob Marshall's Into The Woods, Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick takes on the iconic role of Cinderella - with a twist. After finding her Prince Charming, Cinderella makes the unorthodox decision to leave him, but as Anna explains, the decision is actually "beautiful" - separation isn't always a negative life desicion.

"My parents set an amazing example for me about separation. They divorced when I was 15, but we all had Thanksgiving dinner together last year," reveals Anna.

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Anna Kendrick starred as Cinderella in Into The Woods

She adds: "I think that it’s such an important lesson for children: that people can have disagreements, but it doesn’t mean that one is bad and one is good.

"I feel so grateful to my family for setting this amazing example with their separation and I hope that the scene [in which Cinderella leaves the prince] is a reflection of that."

Anna first found worldwide fame in 2008's Twilight and later opposite George Clooney in Up In The Air, but she is probably best known for 2012 musical Pitch Perfect. "That’s a hard question to answer," she says when asked about the importance of music in her life. "That’s like asking me about my discovery of oxygen, water and shelter."

Anna became a Tony nominee at the age of 13 for her performance in High Society. Where did her love of music come from? "I enjoy them all. My mother maintains that the first song I ever sang was Lady In Red – but I hate that song, so I don't believe her."

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Anna in Into The Woods

"I think there were a number of people from school who reported back to my mother, 'Anna won't stop singing.' But I can’t remember if I remember those memories for real, or if I just think I do because I’ve been told about them so many times."

Into The Woods, an adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical, also starred James Corden, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, as well as Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.

"Across the board, I think everybody thought, 'How did I sneak into this cast?'," Anna says, when asked about being involved with such a high profile cast.

"We all felt so lucky to be there and somehow, miraculously, it was not intimidating because everyone was so warm.

"We were all on a team with the same goal, which was a great equalizer for all of us."

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Opposite Chris Pine as Prince Charming

The film weaves together several of the Grimm brothers' fairy tales into one story which explores the consequences of wishes made. "This is not the traditional Cinderella. It’s a fascinating Cinderella," Anna adds.

"She could’ve been the lamest Cinderella of all time, but this is a Rob Marshall movie with an amazing cast – and it’s a Sondheim musical. It's like having gravy on top of gravy on top of gravy. I was really excited to be involved."

With Cinderella now under her belt, is there another Disney princess Anna would love to play? "I would say Ariel... Because I get a pet flounder and a crab!"

Into The Woods is available on Disney Blu-Ray & DVD from 18th May. © 2015 Disney

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