Playing a real-life legend is no easy feat, but if done well, the role can be career-defining (Jamie Foxx in Ray, Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line). In Amelia, Hilary Swank has her work cut out for her as iconic aviator Amelia Earhart. But no character has ever gotten the best of Swank, and Amelia's brazen leading lady is no exception. She talks to Oprah.com about how she channeled the pilot, Oscar® buzz and her next big project. 
Rachel Bertsche: Amelia is such an inspirational film, especially for women. What do you think was the most inspiring thing about Amelia Earhart?

Hilary Swank: Hands down, to me, Amelia was a woman who made no apologies for living her life the way she wanted. I find in this life we're so busy living it the way we think our parents or a significant other want us to live it, and somewhere along the way we lose track of what our life is about for us. To me, she was a great reminder of following your heart, your passion, your dreams, without apologies. I didn't know all of that about her before. She was ahead of her time in the 1920s and 1930s, but I think that's something difficult for people to do even today.

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