Entertainment Movies Saoirse Ronan Says Her Mom Protected Her in Hollywood Growing Up: 'I Was Never a Victim' Mary Queen of Scots star Saoirse Ronan credits her mother Monica for making sure she stayed safe as she came of age in show business By Dana Rose Falcone Dana Rose Falcone Dana Rose Falcone is a Staff Writer covering TV at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE for seven years. Dana Rose's work has previously appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Men's Fitness and Us Weekly. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 3, 2019 10:48AM EST Photo: Eric Charbonneau/REX/Shutterstock Saoirse Ronan started acting on TV in 2003, when she was just nine years old. The Irish actress, now 24, has since gone on to earn Oscar nominations for her roles in Atonement, Brooklyn and Lady Bird. And Ronan credits her mom Monica for making sure she stayed safe as she grew up in Hollywood. “I don’t know what would have happened if she [her mother] hadn’t been around,” Ronan tells Harper’s Bazaar UK in the magazine’s February cover story. “I’m sure I would have been exposed to that quite a bit, but she just protected me from all that.” Referencing the #MeToo movement, Ronan explains that she never expected anyone in show business to take advantage of her. “I wasn’t unaware that there were people in the industry who abused their power, or who were seedy or untrustworthy,” the Mary Queen of Scots star says. “But because of her I was never a victim and I’m very, very thankful.” RELATED VIDEO: Before and After: See a 13 Year-Old Saoirse Ronan at Her First Oscars in 2008! Despite having her mom’s guidance, Ronan shares, “I didn’t leave home at 19 all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I hadn’t been wrapped in cotton wool, but I had been protected.” The Golden Globe winner (who sweetly shouted out her “mum” in her acceptance speech last year) has already had a successful acting career at a young age, but Ronan admits she originally felt inclined to direct, rather than get in front of the camera. Ronan on Harper’s Bazaar UK’s February 2019 cover. “I’ve always wanted to do it,” she continues to the monthly. “I was more drawn to that as a kid than I was to acting. I love working with actors, but I always learn the most from the directors. It’s their vision you’re bringing to life, you have to adapt to their way of working. I like having to stretch myself to fit in with their requirements.” Mary Queen of Scots is in theaters now.