Ticket to Paradise is Julia Roberts singular role in a rom-com; Credits: TV Insider

Julia Roberts is known for her very varied acting career over the years, but the one genre that she did not explore much is rom-com. 

The actress is now coming forward with her first-ever leading role in a romantic comedy for over 20 years. She will be starring opposite George Clooney in the latest rom-com film, Ticket To Paradise. 

Julia Roberts was the practical icon of romantic comedy leads back in the 1990s. She received many accolades for her gorgeous performances, notably the Oscar nomination for her role in Pretty Woman, My Best Friend's Wedding, and Notting Hill, amongst many other similar roles. 

But by the time the 2001s rolled in, the lady had taken a hiatus from playing the conventional role of a love-struck lady in romantic comedies. Her last famous role in the genre could be seen in America's Sweethearts, where she was the lead lady of the show. 

While she did not star as the main character in romcoms after that, she did play smaller, supporting roles, like being included in the film "Valentine's Day" and "Mother's Day." She also starred in a similar romance drama genre, like in the film "Eat Pray Love," and a romance crime film, "Duplicity."

So, while Julia Roberts practically led the genre back in the day, why did she decide to wait for more than 20 years to get another lead role in a romantic comedy film? The actress recently spoke with The New York Times and revealed the secret behind her long hiatus from the romantic scene. 

Julia Roberts shared that she did not consciously decide to quit playing roles in the given genre, which basically had helped her achieve her immense freedom. Revealing the reason, Roberts shared that her long break from the romantic comedy scene was influenced by the lack of receiving any good scripts or concepts when it came to the genre instead of avoiding the genre by choice. 

However, she also revealed that the public thinks that she has been missing from the rom-com scene for an extremely long time, while she actually counts her supporting roles in her latter films as the extension of her hold over the genre. 

She shared that she was impressed with the concept of the films like Notting Hill and My Best Friend's Wedding and if she had received other such roles, she would have said yes to them. She included that the script needs to include "fun" in the film. 

She shared that no other such amazing ideas existed for her until she received the role in the film directed and written by Ol Parker. The latest Ol Parker film, Ticket to Paradise, will now bring Julia Roberts together with George Clooney, her friend for a long time, whom she had also collaborated with many times. 

In fact, it is only because Clooney joined the cast ensemble of the film that Julia Roberts decided to say to the film. otherwise, it would have simply been another name in the long list of the films she rejected due to not liking their concepts. 

George Clooney knew that he and Roberts would be able to do great work together in Ticket to Paradise. Therefore, Julia Roberts was finally able to make a comeback to her beloved genre of romantic comedy films. 

Apart from stating that she did not receive a "single good script" in the genre for the past 20 years, Roberts also shared that she had gotten busy with her personal life in these years. She revealed that she would have considered the roles if they were good enough, but she also had to raise three children in these past 18 years, 

Not only did she state that she looked for particular standards when it comes to her films or to see if they are good enough, but also had to make sure that her work schedule fit in right with her husband's work and that they could together take care of their children.

They had to make sure that the schedule was clear for the kids; school and that they could have time together for summer vacations and more. So, she can not simply say yes to roles but also balance everything that comes along with it. The actress also revealed that she is "proud" of herself for maintaining a great career while also being a "homemaker" and raising her family beautifully. 

The actress is also a great mother and feels immense responsibility for nurturing her children. She shared that it was her "sense of responsibility", especially for her daughter, that made her think of her creative time and how she could also make a meaningful impact with what she chose to do. 

Hence, in her need to add meaning to her creative endeavors, she did have to spend time away from her family. While it was satisfying in one way, she found it difficult to be away from her family. 

The actress has been on the recieving end of terrible rumors, owing to her long standing career in romantic comedies. Considering that her characters in these films would be required to smile a lot, there emerged a rumor that she had insured her smile for $30 million. 

The actress scoffed at the ridiculousness of the rumor and laughed that if she actually had her smile trademarked or rumored, she would have someone at home each day to remind her to floss longer. She also expressed her confusion about how a person would even get their smile insured. 

Julia Roberts will star in Ticket to Paradise along with George Clooney; Credits: Variety

Ticket to Paradise will hit theaters on October 21 this year under Universal Pictures.