Sandra Bullock On Daughter Laila: ‘Nothing Has Changed And Everything Has Changed’

At 51, Sandra Bullock has accomplished a great deal, including an Oscar win for The Blind Side (2009), but nothing fills her with more pride than her family. In fact, Sandra brought home a new 3-year-old sister for 5-year-old Louis early last month. Obviously, little Laila is the newest bundle of pride and joy for the Bullock family, so it’s not surprising that Sandra has been gushing about her adopted daughter all over Hollywood.

Sandra Bullock Gives Son Louis A Sister

The Gravity actress says that it seemed as though her son had been waiting for Laila, and that is certainly understandable, considering the loneliness of an only child’s life. Ms. Bullock adds that, while things are different, they are also comfortably familiar.

“Nothing has changed and everything has changed, but it’s not different,” Ms. Bullock said of adding Laila to the family.

One if the more noticeable changes to the family dynamic is Laila’s voice, says Sandra. She feels certain that her new daughter will grow up to be someone who commands respect and attention with her voice. While a loud voice can certainly grate on one’s nerves, Ms. Bullock is quick to add that Laila is a perfect fit for her family.

“I don’t know how to explain that,” she said. “It’s like she’s always been there, or we were always making room for her and waiting for her.”

Sandra isn’t parenting alone these days. Ms. Bullock has been involved with photographer Bryan Randall, since August of last year. Bryan has a grown daughter, Skylar, and he has been nicknamed The Child Whisperer for his uncanny ability to relate to children. A source close to the couple commented that Bryan has never met a child that didn’t adore him, so it seems Louis and Laila Bullock are in good hands.

The Proposal‘s Sandra Bullock Recalls Her Own Mother’s Lessons In The Face Of Hollywood Sexism

Long before Hollywood had called to young Sandra Bullock, her own mother, German opera singer Helga Mathilde Meyer, had some words of wisdom that stuck with Sandra through these many years. What were those lessons? Ms. Bullock says her mother raised her to believe a woman can do anything men can do. She was also told not to marry and to follow her own path.

It was this training that sent Sandra out into the world believing that everyone is equal, a belief she still holds onto in the present day. Still, she says this philosophy led to the absolute worst day of her life, about 10 years ago. Sandra describes being on set and feeling frustrated, angry, and confused, but also unable to pinpoint just what was stirring those emotions. She finally realized what it was: she was being treated differently than her male counterparts.

“Was I so naive up to this point to actually think that I was on an equal level with everybody? It was the way I was being treated, because I was female, versus the way others were being treated,” said Ms. Bullock.

Reflecting on this, Sandra says that sexism in Hollywood goes far beyond a pay gap issue. She says it affects other aspects of life as well and it makes her job as a parent that much more difficult, especially with son Louis. Ms. Bullock questions how she can command respect from her son, when the outside world will show him a different perspective.

“I want him to think I’m the boss and women are equal, but I can’t really support that in the outside world. I hope in my lifetime, for him, everything is a level-playing field. We can hope.”

Sandra Bullock’s most recent film is David Gordon Green’s comedy/drama Our Brand is Crisis, which also stars Anthony Mackie and Billie Bob Thorton.

[Featured image by Theo Wargo NBC/Getty Images]