What playing Marcia Clark has taught Sarah Paulson

After working in movies, on television and on stage for two decades, it’s only recently that Sarah Paulson has been experiencing a higher level of fame.

‘There’s been a shift recently,’ says the 41-year-old star who is currently playing prosecutor Marcia Clark in the miniseries The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story.

‘I’ve spent my whole career working towards this. Now my life has completely changed.’

The higher profile began to gain momentum due to Paulson’s wide-ranging roles in the anthology series American Horror Story and has intensified since it was revealed last year that she is dating actress Holland Taylor.

Taylor, 73, is best known for her role on the sitcom Two and a Half Men and had not previously been out publicly.

Paulson tells People Magazine that she’s adjusting to the increased attention.

‘I don’t love being talked about in the media or having my picture taken as I’m leaving the gym, but I understand that’s part of the job.’

Paulson has been in relationships with both women and men in the past and does not like putting a label on her sexuality.

Playing Clark, who endured intense media scrutiny during the Simpson trial 20 years ago, has helped give the actress perspective.

‘It’s hard to not give power to the things people says about you,’ she admits. ‘But Marcia was strong enough to turn down that outside noise and do her job.

‘At the end of the day, all that matters is what the people I love think. I didn’t”t have as firm a grip on that until playing Marcia.’