Kate del Castillo has always been someone who tells it like it is. She’s real, honest, and never shies away from a tough conversation. Now, at 52, she’s opening up about a topic that has followed her for decades: her choice not to have children. This time, she has a fresh perspective, sparked by her newest film, Instincts.
In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly en Español, Kate shared that playing Maggie, a pregnant woman caught in a terrifying nightmare, really made her think. She decided not to have kids 30 years ago. She feels more sure of that choice every day, and even more so after taking on roles like a mother or a pregnant woman. Kate explained, "It’s a very intense, scary movie. I’m happy it gets such a strong reaction from the audience, because it means we did our job well."
Being an actress means she can step into any role. She makes it clear that not wanting children in her own life doesn’t stop her from playing mothers or pregnant characters. "That doesn’t mean I can’t play mother roles, or pregnant characters. That’s what I’m an actress for, and I do my research for it," she said simply. Kate added that she’s still a woman with a strong maternal instinct, she just never wanted to have children of her own.
For Kate, becoming Maggie on screen helped show how vulnerable a woman can be when she’s about to give birth. It also brought her back to her own personal decision. She finds it amusing that people still ask her if she wants to be a mom. "It doesn’t bother me one bit that they keep asking," she chuckled. "I think I’ll be 60 and they’ll still be asking. It’s even funny that they still think I might change my mind."
In Hollywood, women often face pressure to fit certain molds. But Kate stays true to herself. She had many chances to have children but never wanted to. She says this doesn’t make her any less of a woman, nor does it limit her acting career. In fact, she believes it gives her more freedom to pick her projects and the characters she plays. Her clear stance isn’t meant to cause a stir. Instead, it’s an example of how women can make their own choices without falling into stereotypes. "I think it’s nice that they still ask me," she reflected, "because it gives me a chance to keep saying what I think and confirm that everyone has the right to decide what they want for their life."
Learning to Trust Your Gut
The movie’s title, Instincts, also made Kate think about her own inner voice. She’s learned to really listen to it over the years. "My instinct has saved me many times, but it has also buried me," she admitted. "When I was younger, I didn’t follow it because you don’t have that self-confidence. And I think with experience, you realize that instinct never fails."
Kate candidly shared that not always following her gut led to some life choices she can joke about now. "That’s why I got married twice," she confessed with a laugh. "They’re experiences, and I don’t regret anything. But now I follow my instinct perfectly, and I realize I’m never wrong. Instinct isn’t wrong."
Today, Kate enjoys a stable, private relationship with photographer Edgar Bahena.
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Beyond her personal journey, Kate shared that working on Instincts was emotionally challenging. Playing Maggie reminded her of how fragile humans can be, but also how strong they become when things get tough. "There was so much tension in every scene," she remembered. "I ended up exhausted every day, but also very satisfied because we knew what we were doing would shake the audience."
With such dedication, Kate shows that her power as an actress goes beyond what anyone expects. Her instinct, both in life and on screen, remains her most reliable guide.
Aside from Kate del Castillo, Instincts stars Bruno Bichir, Daniela Schmidt, Iván Marcos, and Emma Suárez. Sebastián Borensztein directed the film.
Instincts is a new movie from ViX. You can stream it with a premium plan on the platform. It has been available since Friday, August 29.