McAllen native’s film 'Twilight' may be her brightest moment

McALLEN -- Rio Grande Valley native and famed director Catherine Hardwicke was among some of the entertainment world's most elite actresses Monday night when she was one of seven honored by Elle magazine during its 15th annual Women in Hollywood tribute.

"It was absolutely an incredible honor to be standing up there with women I have been admiring for years and continue to admire for the range of their talents, their devotion and their work," the 52-year-old McAllen native said via telephone.

Elle's annual dinner pays tribute to women "who are telling our stories" in Hollywood, editor Roberta Myers told The Associated Press. Other honorees included Halle Berry, Jane Fonda, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Sigourney Weaver and Isla Fisher.

"For me, standing up there, (I thought) ‘I'm just a girl from McAllen,'" Hardwicke said. "It was such an honor, a beautiful, beautiful honor."

Hardwicke first showed up on Hollywood's radar with 2003's Thirteen, which she directed and co-wrote. Five years later, she stands on the verge of what could be the biggest release of her career with the big-screen version of bestselling author Stephanie Meyer's cult vampire series, Twilight.

Dell Hardwicke, whose daughter Sally Brace attended the ceremony with the Nativity Story director, said she was very proud of her niece's success.

"She works so hard and just drives herself crazy. We joke in the family that none of us would want to have to work with her," Dell Hardwicke said with a laugh.

Before leaving the Valley for Hollywood in the ‘80s, Catherine Hardwicke graduated first in her class from McAllen High School and also designed the city's Waterwalk complex off Second Street.

She and the other honorees will be featured in the November issue of Elle, which goes on sale Oct. 15. Twilight is set to hit theaters Nov. 21.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sandra Gonzalez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4427.